List of Major Important Ports in India

• India, with its vast coastline stretching over 7,500 kilometers, is dotted with several important ports that play a crucial role in the country’s trade and economy. 

List of Major Important Ports in India

• India has a total of 13 major ports, of which 12 ports are Government-owned and 1 is private. (Kamarajar Major Port in Ennore is privately owned).
• The country has 7517 kilometres of coastline and its major ports handled 795 million tonnes of cargo in FY23.

(Current Major Ports in India)

About Vadhavan Port

• Vadhavan Transhipment Port when developed will be a deep-sea port  in Palghar district of Maharashtra.
• The port will be built on coast of the Arabian Sea.
• Vadhavan port will form a major part of the proposed ‘India Middle-East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC’).
• It’s a key project within the Indian government’s Sagarmala initiative to enhance the performance of the country’s logistics sector.

Major Ports of India on Eastern Coast: 

1. Kolkata Port

• Kolkata Port, now called Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, is India’s oldest major river port situated in Kolkata, West Bengal.
• It was built by the British East India Company.
• Unlike most ports, Kolkata is a freshwater port with no salt content.
• It has two main sections: Kolkata Dock in the city and a Deep-water dock at Haldia Dock Complex. 

2. Paradip Port

• Paradip Port is a natural, deep-water harbour on the East coast of India in Paradip, in Odisha, 
• It is where the Mahanadi River meets the Bay of Bengal.
• The port is managed by the Paradip Port Authority (PPA), which is an independent corporation fully owned by the Government of India.

3. Visakhapatnam Port

• Visakhapatnam Port is one of India’s twelve big ports and the main port of Andhra Pradesh. 
• It’s the third largest state-owned port in India in terms of cargo volume, and the biggest on the Eastern Coast.
• Positioned about halfway between Kolkata Port and Chennai Port, it is situated at a strategic location along the Bay of Bengal coast.

4. Kamarajar Port

• Kamarajar Port Limited, previously known as Ennore Port, sits on the Coromandel coast in Tamil Nadu. 
• It is India’s 12th major port and the first to be a public company and the only major port organized as a company.
• Chennai Port Trust took over major ownership (90%) of Kamarajar Port Limited from the government 

5. Chennai Port

• Chennai Port, previously called Madras Port, is India’s second-largest container port, after Mumbai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Port. 
• It’s the biggest port in the Bay of Bengal. 
• Maritime trade through the port began much earlier in 1639 on the undeveloped coast.

6. Tuticorin Port

• The V.O. Chidambaranar Port is located in Tamil Nadu, and is one of India’s 13 major ports.
• It was designated as a major port in 1974.
• It ranks as the second-largest port in Tamil Nadu and the third-largest container terminal in India.
• The V.O. Chidambaranar Port is man-made.

Major Ports of India on Western Coast

• The Western Coast of India is dotted with several major ports that are instrumental in handling a significant portion of the country’s maritime trade.
• The Western coastal plains of India extend from Gujarat in the North to Kerala in the South, passing through the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Goa.
• It lies between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. 

7. Kandla Port

• Kandla Port, officially renamed as Deendayal Port Trust in 2017, is a vital maritime facility located on the northwestern coast of India, in the Kutch District of Gujarat.
• Established in 1952, the port was constructed to serve as a major trading hub, especially after the partition of India, which led to the loss of the Karachi port to Pakistan.

8. Jawaharlal Nehru Port

• Jawaharlal Nehru Port, also known as Nhava Sheva, is the largest container port in India. 
• Located in Maharashtra, close to Mumbai, it was commissioned in 1989 to augment the port capacity of Mumbai.
• Managed by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, it plays a pivotal role in India’s international trade, handling a significant portion of the country’s containerized cargo.
• It is the busiest port in India in terms of container traffic. It handles the largest volume of containerized cargo among all the ports in India.
• The port’s strategic location near Mumbai, India’s financial capital, and its state-of-the-art facilities contribute to its status as the busiest port in the nation.

9. Mumbai Port

• Mumbai Port, one of India’s oldest major ports, is located on the west coast in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• Established in 1873, it has played a vital role in the maritime trade of India.
• Primarily handling bulk cargo, it is known for its deep natural harbour and strategic location, serving both as a key facility for imports and exports and as a hub for passenger traffic.

10. Mormugao Port

• Mormugao Port, located in Goa, is one of the country’s premier iron ore export ports. 
• Established in 1888, it’s a natural harbour that has played a significant role in the maritime trade, particularly in the export of iron ore from India.
• Over the years, Mormugao has diversified its cargo handling capabilities to include other bulk and general cargoes.

11. New Mangalore Port

• New Mangalore Port, situated in Karnataka. 
• Established in 1974, it is known for handling a diverse range of cargoes including crude oil, LPG, coffee, and cashew.
• It plays a vital role in the economic development of the region, serving the hinterland of Karnataka as well as parts of Kerala.

12. Cochin Port

• Established in 1928, it plays a crucial role in the maritime trade of the region.
• The port is strategically positioned along major international sea routes and has a natural harbour.
• Cochin Port facilitates the export and import of goods and is known for its container transhipment facility.

13. Port Blair

• The 13^th major port is Port Blair Port which is a seaport in South Andaman district of Andaman and Nicobar in India. 

• Located on the Andaman Sea, it is one of major ports in India.
• All major provisions of the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963, have become applicable to the port of Port Blair. 
• It is the only major port in Andaman and Nicobar.

Sagarmala Programme

• The Sagarmala Programme, launched in March 2015, is the flagship initiative of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, aimed at revolutionizing India’s maritime sector. With a 7,500 km coastline, 14,500 km of potentially navigable waterways, and a strategic position on key global trade routes, India holds immense potential for port-led economic growth. Sagarmala aims to streamline logistics, reduce costs, and enhance international trade competitiveness by shifting from traditional, infrastructure-heavy transport to efficient coastal and waterway networks. The program focuses on port modernization, industrial growth, job creation, and sustainable coastal development, ensuring minimal infrastructure investment while maximizing economic impact.
• The Sagarmala Programme is a key pillar of the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 (MAKV), driving India’s ambition to become a global leader in maritime affairs. Building on Maritime India Vision 2030, MAKV sets ambitious targets, including 4 million GRT of shipbuilding capacity and 10 billion metric tons of port handling annually, aiming to position India among the top five shipbuilding nations by 2047.
• Formulated through 150+ stakeholder consultations and an analysis of 50 global benchmarks, MAKV outlines over 300 strategic initiatives to develop world-class ports, expand coastal and inland waterways, and promote a sustainable Blue Economy. As a core enabler, Sagarmala plays a transformative role in enhancing logistics, infrastructure, and shipping, accelerating India’s maritime growth by 2047.

Current Status of the Sagarmala Programme

• As part of the Sagarmala Programme, around 839 projects, estimated to cost around 5.79 lakh crores, have been identified for implementation. Central ministries, IWAI, Indian Railways, NHAI, State Governments, Major Ports, and other relevant organizations implement these projects. As of 19^th March 2025, 272 projects have been completed, which account for an investment of approximately 1.41 lakh crores.

Achievements of the Sagarmala Programme

• Sagarmala has made India’s ports faster, boosted the coastal economy, revived inland waterways, and improved global logistics rankings. Coastal shipping grew 118% in a decade, Ro-Pax ferries moved over 40 lakh passengers, and inland waterway cargo rose 700%. Nine Indian ports rank in the world’s top 100, with Vizag in the top 20 container ports. Indian ports now outperform many advanced maritime nations on key metrics.

New additions to the Sagarmala Programme

• Sagarmala 2.0
• The Government of India is advancing the Sagarmala Programme with Sagarmala 2.0, focusing on shipbuilding, repair, recycling, and port modernization to enhance India’s maritime competitiveness.
• With a budgetary support of ₹40,000 crore, the initiative aims to leverage investments of ₹12 lakh crore over the next decade, driving infrastructure development, coastal economic growth, and job creation. Aligning with the vision of a Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat by 2047, Sagarmala 2.0 will accelerate port-led development and strengthen India’s position as a global maritime leader.

Sagarmala Startup Innovation Initiative (S2I2)

• Launched on March 19^th 2025, the Sagarmala Startup Innovation Initiative (S2I2) is a transformative program designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in India’s maritime sector. S2I2 supports startups in green shipping, smart ports, maritime logistics, shipbuilding technology, and sustainable coastal development by providing funding, mentorship, and industry partnerships.
• Anchored in the principles of RISE—Research, Innovation, Startups, and Entrepreneurship- S2I2 will drive technological advancements, enhance industry competitiveness, and accelerate economic growth. Together with Sagarmala 2.0, this initiative reinforces India’s commitment to maritime excellence and sustainable coastal development, paving the way for a globally competitive and future-ready maritime ecosystem.

Objectives of the Sagarmala Programme

• With a strategic focus on port modernization, connectivity, industrialization, and skill development, the Sagarmala Programme is also unlocking new avenues for economic expansion, positioning India as a global maritime powerhouse. Sagarmala’s vision can have a potentially transformative impact on India’s logistics competitiveness and the wider economy. Its main objectives are given below:

 Components of the Sagarmala Programme

• The Sagarmala program consists of several key components aimed at transforming India’s maritime sector. The overall set of projects under the Sagarmala Programme are divided into 5 pillars and 24 categories as displayed below.

Project Implementation & Funding under Sagarmala

• The Sagarmala Programme follows a strategic, stakeholder-driven approach to project identification and execution. Projects are selected based on the Master Planning of Major Ports, meetings of the National and State Steering Committees, and proposals from implementing agencies. Regular realignment and monitoring ensure relevance and efficiency.

Implementation Mechanism

• Major Ports, central ministries, State Governments, state maritime boards, and other relevant agencies execute projects.

• Funding Structure

• By leveraging private investment, institutional funding, and government support, Sagarmala drives port-led economic growth and enhances India’s maritime infrastructure.

Conclusion

• The Sagarmala Programme is transforming India’s maritime sector by driving port-led economic growth, infrastructure modernization, and global trade competitiveness. With 839 projects worth ₹5.5 lakh crore, it has delivered remarkable outcomes, including 118% growth in coastal shipping, a 700% surge in inland waterway cargo movement, and nine Indian ports ranking among the world’s top 100. Building on this success, Sagarmala 2.0 and the Sagarmala Startup Innovation Initiative (S2I2) will unlock ₹12 lakh crore in investments, strengthen shipbuilding, repair, and recycling, and position India as a hub for maritime innovation and sustainability. Anchored in Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat 2047, the Government of India is steering towards a future-ready, globally competitive maritime ecosystem that fuels economic growth, job creation, and leadership in the Blue Economy.