Major Ports of India:- India, with its extensive coastline of over 7,516 kilometers, boasts a robust maritime infrastructure that plays a pivotal role in its trade and economy. The country is home to 12 major ports, each strategically located and equipped to handle a variety of cargo. These ports serve as vital nodes in India’s logistics network, facilitating both domestic and international trade. This article provides an overview of these 12 major ports, their locations, and key details.
Major Ports of India 2025
India’s maritime sector is extensive, featuring 13 major ports (12 government-owned and one private) and 205 non-major ports along a coastline stretching 7,516.6 km. Among the 12 government-owned major ports, six are situated on the western coastline and the remaining six on the eastern coastline. These ports are vital for facilitating water connectivity and international trade. Let’s take a closer look at all 12 major ports of the nation.
Major Ports of India Overview
Article For | Major Ports of India: List of 12 Major Ports, Locations, and Details |
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Year | 2025 |
Category | Trending |
List of 13 Major Ports
Port Name | State |
Kolkata Port | West Bengal |
Paradip Port | Odisha |
Visakhapatnam Port | Andhra Pradesh |
Kamarajar Port | Tamil Nadu |
Chennai Port | Tamil Nadu |
Tuticorin Port | Tamil Nadu |
Cochin Port | Kerala |
New Mangalore Port | Karnataka |
Mormugao Port | Goa |
Mumbai Port | Maharashtra |
Jawaharlal Nehru Port | Maharashtra |
Kandla Port | Gujarat |
Port Blair Port | Andaman and Nicobar islands |
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Major Ports on the Eastern Coast of India
The eastern coastal plains of India stretch between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal, encompassing the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal. This region is divided into three coasts: the Coromandel Coast, the Andhra Coast, and the Utkal Coast. The major ports located in these eastern coastal plains are:
Kolkata Port
Located in Kolkata, West Bengal, Kolkata Port, also known as Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port, is the oldest port in India. Built by the British East India Company during the colonial era, it has played a significant role in trade. Kolkata Port is unique among India’s 12 major ports as it is a riverine port, accommodating ships up to 500 feet long. The port comprises two dock systems: Haldia Dock on the western bank of the Hooghly River and Kolkata Dock on the eastern bank. It is one of India’s busiest ports, majorly exporting steel, iron ore, coal, leather, and copper.
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Paradip Port
Paradip Port, Odisha’s only major port, is located in the Jagatsinghpur district at the confluence of the Bay of Bengal and the Mahanadi River. It was the first major port on India’s east coast to become operational after independence and was named the eighth major port in the country in 1966. Coal and iron ore are the primary commodities handled at this port.
Visakhapatnam Port
Also known as Vizag Port, Visakhapatnam Port is situated in Andhra Pradesh. It lies between the ports of Chennai and Kolkata and is one of India’s oldest natural ports. It is the country’s safest and deepest landlocked port and ranks as the second-largest port in India in terms of cargo handling. The port consists of three parts: the inner harbor, the outer harbor, and the fishing harbor. Major exports include alumina, coal, iron ore, oil, and pellets.
Kamarajar Port
Kamarajar Port, formerly Ennore Port, is located 24 km north of Chennai Port. It is India’s first corporatized port, with 67% ownership by the Indian government. The port handles commodities such as petroleum products and iron ore. Additionally, Chennai Port, previously known as Madras Port, is the largest port on the Bay of Bengal and the second-largest container port in India. It is also the country’s third-oldest port, established in 1881 and home to India’s first container terminal, built in 1983.
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Tuticorin Port
Also known as V.O. Chidambaranar Port, Tuticorin Port is in Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi district. It is the second-largest port in Tamil Nadu and the fourth-largest container terminal in India. An artificial harbor primarily used for trade with Sri Lanka, it is set to become India’s principal port upon completion of the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project. The port is renowned for its pearl fishing operations and handles goods such as coal, oil, sugar, salt, and petroleum products.
Port Blair
Port Blair, managed by the Port Blair Trust, is situated in the Andaman Sea and serves as the main port for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is the only significant port in this region and ranks as the thirteenth major port in India.
Major Ports on the Western Coast of India
The western coastal plain of India stretches from Gujarat in the north to Kerala in the south, passing through Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Goa. It lies between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea and is divided into four coasts: the Kutch and Kathiawar coasts, the Konkan coast, the Kanara coast, and the Malabar coast. The major ports on India’s western coast are:
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Cochin Port
Cochin Port, also known as Kochi Port, is situated between Willingdon Island and Vallarpadam Island in Kochi Lake. It houses the International Container Transshipment Terminal (Vallarpadam Terminal), India’s first and largest container transshipment facility. Cochin Port is one of the country’s largest ports and a significant shipbuilding center, primarily handling the import and export of coffee, tea, spices, salt, fertilizers, and more.
New Mangalore Port
Located in Mangalore, Karnataka, New Mangalore Port sits at the confluence of the Gurupura River and the Arabian Sea. It is the seventh-largest port in India and the only major port in Karnataka. Notably, it is also the deepest inland port on India’s west coast. The port handles petroleum products, LPG, fertilizers, and iron ore.
Mormugao Port
Situated at the mouth of the Zuari River in Goa, Mormugao Port is a significant tourist destination. It is India’s primary iron ore export port, also handling goods such as cotton, manganese, and coconut.
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Mumbai Port
Mumbai Port, or Bombay Port, is a natural harbor located in Maharashtra. It is India’s largest and oldest port, handling about one-fifth of the country’s total exports. The port features Jawahar Dweep, an island with four jetties for handling crude and petroleum products, and three dock facilities: Prince’s Dock, Victoria Dock, and Indira Dock.
Jawaharlal Nehru Port
Also known as Nhava Sheva Port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port is located in the Raigad district (Navi Mumbai), Maharashtra. It is India’s largest container-handling port, managing about 56% of the country’s containers. It is one of the busiest ports, handling goods such as textiles, boneless meat, carpets, pharmaceuticals, machinery, chemicals, and vegetable oils. The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor, built by Indian Railways, is also located here.
Kandla Port
Now known as Deendayal Port, Kandla Port is in the Kutch district of Gujarat, 90 km from the Gulf of Kutch. It is the largest port in India in terms of cargo volume and one of the busiest. Kandla Port is a trade-free zone, exporting large quantities of food grains and importing oil. It also handles machinery, petroleum products, salt, chemicals, and textiles.
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Conclusion
India’s major ports, spanning both the eastern and western coasts, serve as vital gateways for trade and commerce. From Kolkata Port in the east to Kandla Port in the west, each plays a unique role in facilitating the movement of goods, contributing significantly to the nation’s economy. Whether it’s Kolkata’s historical significance or Jawaharlal Nehru Port’s cutting-edge container facilities, these ports collectively showcase India’s maritime prowess and global connectivity, driving forward the country’s growth and development.
FAQ’s
Which is the No 1 port in India?
Situated in west Mumbai on the western coast of India, Mumbai Port reigns as the country's largest port in terms of both size and shipping activity. Nestled within a natural harbor, its waters boast depths ranging from 10 to 12 meters, facilitating seamless docking and navigation for sizable cargo vessels.
Which is the biggest port of India?
Mumbai Port stands as India's largest port, both in terms of size and shipping volume. Positioned within a natural harbor, it graces the western coast of India, specifically in west Mumbai.
What are major ports in India?
Major ports in India are strategic maritime facilities that play a pivotal role in the country's trade and commerce. They are managed by the government and are crucial hubs for importing and exporting goods.
How many major ports are there in India?
India has a total of 13 major ports, strategically located along its vast coastline. These ports handle a significant portion of the nation's maritime trade.
What are some examples of major ports in India?
Examples of major ports in India include Mumbai Port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva), Chennai Port, Kolkata Port, and Vishakhapatnam Port, among others.
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