Page 22 - NIS English 1-15 April, 2026

Cover Story
National Maritime Day Special
Cargo Handling at Indian Ports

Capacity Nearly Cargo Handling Combined Cargo Cargo through Coastal
Doubled Increased More Than Handling Capacity Shipping Increased by 90%
(Capacity in MMTPA) One and a Half Times (Capacity in Million Metric New cargo
Tonnes per Year)
1,400 2,762 1,594 1,681 165 MMT transport services
between India
and the Maldives
and passenger
972 (Capacity in MMT) 555 87 MMT transport services
between India and
Sri Lanka have
been launched.
2013-14 2024-25 2013-14 2024-25 2013-14 2024-25 2013-14 2024-25

Ship Turnaround Time Financial Operating Ratio Increased
Performance of Ports Improved Renewable Energy
2013-14 2024-25 (Number in crores of rupees) Use at Major Ports
Two Days One Day

Total Turnaround Time at Ports 11,172 24,203 73% 15%
2014 93 Hours Annual Income Increased by 120% 43% 1%

2025 49 Hours

Average Turnaround Time: 43 Hours 2013-14 2024-25 2013-14 2024-25 2013-14 2024-25

Inland Water Transport

Number of Notified The Number of Cargo Transportation Cargo Movement
National Waterways Operational National through National Waterways through Inland
Waterways Increased Waterways Increased
by 10 Times
111
29 18 MMT 146 MMT 710% Increase 18.07 145.84 (Capacity in Million Metric Tonnes)

5 3
2013-14 2016 2013-14 2024-25 2013-14 2024-25 2013-14 2024-25

ago, there were fewer than 125,000 seafarers, but connected to the immense potential of the coast-
today their number has surpassed 300,000. Today, line. The development of the maritime and water-
India is among the top three countries in the world, ways sector directly translates to the development
providing the largest number of seafarers and cre- of a state like Tamil Nadu.
ating employment opportunities for Indian youth. In the last ten years, India has climbed several
This once-neglected sector is now becoming the places to 38th place in the Logistics Performance
foundation of a developed India. Tamil Nadu and Index. Port capacity has doubled in the past decade.
South India are reaping the greatest benefits. Tamil National waterways have expanded eightfold. Cruise
Nadu also boasts three major and over a dozen passenger traffic in India has also increased fourfold,
smaller ports. Almost all the states in the South are and the number of seafarers has also doubled.

20 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || April 1-15, 2026