Major Ports of India: Complete List & Map

India has 13 major ports governed directly by the Central Government under the Major Port Authorities Act, 2021. These ports handle approximately 55% of India's total maritime cargo, with the remaining traffic managed by about 200 notified minor and intermediate ports under state governments. For UPSC, knowing port locations, their specialisations, and the Sagarmala programme is consistently tested in both Prelims and Mains.

Complete List of 13 Major Ports

India's coastline stretches 7,516 km, with six major ports on the western coast and seven on the eastern coast (including one in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands).

Major Ports: Location and Key Details

> Note: Haldia is often counted as part of Kolkata/Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port. Port Blair was notified as a major port in 2010, bringing the effective total to 13 independent port authorities depending on the counting method used.

Western Coast Ports: Detailed Overview

The western coast — from Gujarat to Kerala — faces the Arabian Sea and handles the bulk of India’s trade with the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.

Deendayal Port (Kandla), Gujarat

Formerly known as Kandla Port, it was renamed in 2017. Located in the Gulf of Kutch, it's one of India's busiest ports by cargo volume. It serves as the primary gateway for landlocked northwestern states. The port handles crude oil, petroleum products, edible oils, and foodgrains. A Special Economic Zone (SEZ) adjacent to the port — India's first — was established in 1965.

JNPT (Nhava Sheva), Maharashtra

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust is India’s premier container port, handling nearly 50% of the country’s containerised cargo. Located across the harbour from Mumbai, it was commissioned in 1989 to decongest Mumbai Port. The fourth container terminal was developed as a PPP project with DP World.

Cochin Port, Kerala

Situated on Willingdon Island in the Kochi backwaters, Cochin Port is a natural harbour with one of the finest locations on the western coast. It was the first Indian port to have an International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadam, operated by Adani Ports. The port also hosts an LNG import terminal and serves as a major cruise destination.

Eastern Coast Ports: Detailed Overview

The eastern coast — from West Bengal to Tamil Nadu — faces the Bay of Bengal and facilitates trade with Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Australia.

Kolkata Port (Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port)

India’s only riverine major port, located about 203 km upstream from the sea on the Hooghly River. This creates persistent challenges with siltation and navigation depth. Haldia Dock Complex, built downstream, addresses some of these limitations. Despite constraints, the port remains vital for eastern India’s trade.

Visakhapatnam Port, Andhra Pradesh

The port with the largest cargo tonnage on the east coast. It's a natural harbour and also hosts the headquarters of the Indian Navy's Eastern Naval Command. Key commodities include petroleum, iron ore, coal, and fertilisers. The port's location makes it critical for trade with ASEAN nations.

Chennai Port

The oldest artificial harbour on the east coast, established in 1881. It handles containers, automobiles, and project cargo. Chennai competes with JNPT for container traffic and serves as a key automotive export hub given the concentration of automobile manufacturing in Tamil Nadu.

Paradip Port, Odisha

Commissioned in 1966, Paradip is the deepest port on India's east coast. It handles coal, iron ore, chrome ore, and thermal coal for nearby power plants. The port has a mechanised iron ore handling plant and bulk cargo berths that make it competitive for mineral exports.

Major Port Authorities Act, 2021

The Major Port Authorities Act, 2021 replaced the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963. This legislation represents a significant governance reform for India's port sector.

Key Changes

This act aims to make major ports competitive with private ports like Mundra (Adani) and Krishnapatnam, which have grown faster due to operational flexibility.

Sagarmala Programme

Launched in 2015, Sagarmala is the government's flagship port-led development initiative. The programme aims to reduce logistics costs by developing port infrastructure, improving hinterland connectivity, and promoting port-led industrialisation.

Four Pillars of Sagarmala

1. Port Modernisation — capacity augmentation, mechanisation, deepening of channels
2. Port Connectivity — road, rail, and waterway links to ports
3. Port-Led Industrialisation — Coastal Economic Zones (CEZs) and maritime clusters
4. Coastal Community Development — skill development, fisheries, and tourism

Key Projects Under Sagarmala

• Development of 14 Coastal Economic Zones
• National Waterway-1 (Ganga) development connecting Haldia to Varanasi
• Dedicated freight corridors linking hinterland to ports
• Modernisation of fishing harbours along both coasts

Related: Water Resources of India: Rivers, Dams & Disputes

Private Ports and Competition

Private ports, particularly in Gujarat, have significantly altered India's port landscape. Mundra Port (operated by Adani Ports and SEZ Limited) is India's largest private port and handles more cargo than most major ports. Krishnapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and Dhamra in Odisha are other major private facilities.

The rise of private ports has forced major ports to improve efficiency. Average turnaround time at major ports has reduced from over 4 days to under 3 days, though private ports still lead with turnaround times below 2 days.

Port Performance Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions