Key Highlights:

• A deep review into the major ports in India, their history, their role in global trade, and their economic impact.

• These ports ship a spectrum of exports and imports, including textiles, iron and steel ores, petroleum products, chemicals, and coal.

• India is a port hub consisting of 13 major ports and over 217 minor ports.
  
  Trade has always been the lifeblood of India - from the ancient Silk Route to modern shipping lanes that connect every nook and corner of the nation to the rest of the world. With its vast coastline spanning over 7,500 kilometres, India is home to some of the busiest and most strategic ports in the world. But which ports play the biggest role in import and export? Here are the top 10 major ports in India that fuel the nation’s booming trade industry.

  
  

Top 10 Major Ports in India

1. Nhava Sheva Port

First up on the list of the major ports in India is the Nhava Sheva port. With its advanced facilities and infrastructure, the Nhava Sheva port is well equipped for Indian businesses to import and export their cargo.

Located in Navi Mumbai, the port is a critical exporter of textiles and apparel (not knitted/crocheted), pharmaceutical products, and machinery & mechanical appliances as of January 2025.

And, besides, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, commonly called the Nhava Sheva port, handles 50% of the nation’s aggregate containerised cargo. And, what’s more, is that the port shipped 246,677 of cargo in January 2025!

In its simplest sense, it’s quite clear that the Nhava Sheva port is a key import-export hub, especially in the engineering goods, electronics, and pharmaceuticals industries.

2. Chennai Port

Following the Nhava Sheva seaport, the Chennai port is the second largest container handling port in India. Situated in the Bay of Bengal’s Coromandel Coast, the Chennai Port is one of the nation’s most valuable and oldest ports, responsible for approximately 24.80% of the aggregate container traffic of India.

Even though the port is often referred to as the Gateway to South India, it ships a variety of cargo, including mineral fuels, tobacco, electrical machinery, nuclear reactors, and apparel, all of which accounted for 101,330 units in January 2025.

Not to forget, this port is constantly on the verge of shifting its infrastructure and facilities to meet the ever-growing volume of cargo and enhance efficiency. Overall, the Chennai port promises a splendid import-export future bound to play an important role in Indian trade.

3. Mundra Port

As the third largest port, the Mundra port is one of India's most effective and busiest ports. Located in Gujarat, this port is indeed one of Adani's maritime commercial wonders, especially with its strategic vision and targeted development.

Moreover, it goes beyond being just a port - it’s a logistics hub, all due to its superb connectivity. With a mix of inland waterways, the Mundra port ensures the swift and smooth movement of cargo.

In fact, the Mundra port is known for trading mineral fuels, electrical machinery, cereals, articles of iron and steel, cotton, ceramic products, etc., all of which account for 82,266 of cargo.

Overall, Mundra Port’s relentless focus on innovation and efficiency ensures it remains at the forefront of Indian port infrastructure.

4. Kolkata Port

In addition to all these ports, the Kolkata Port ranks 4th. With a rich history, the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, formerly named the Kolkata Port, dates back to the early British settlement in Eastern India.

Moreover, the port originated to protect and promote the British colonial interest and therefore served as a prime port of the time.

However, in today’s fast-paced world, the port serves as a crucial backlink in connecting India to its neighboring countries like Nepal and Bhutan.

Furthermore, according to Indian import-export data, the port shipped 40,768 units of cargo, and the top port companies in India use the Kolkata port to majorly export jute, iron, steel, and articles thereof, along with cereals and articles of leather.

On the other hand, the port is a significant importer of petroleum products, vegetable and animal fats, and edible vegetables.

To put it plainly, the Kolkata Port is indeed a guiding factor to commerce and trade.

5. Kochi Port

The Kochi port, at the southwestern coast of India, is a critical port located along the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, more specifically in the Ernakulam district of Kerala.

Its ancient history dates back to the 14th century, and the port is an essential trade stop, connecting the Indian Republic to emerging markets of Africa, Europe, and Asia, especially during the spice trade.

What's more is that the Kochi port is an import-export hub, shipping 27,978 units of cargo encompassing spices, coconut products, machinery, tea, coffee, rubber, petroleum products, and equipment, apart from others.

Therefore, it can be said that the Kochi port stands tall as one of the top 10 ports of India, with the right blend of history and strategy.

6. Ennore Port

When speaking about the major ports in India, it’s hard to miss the Ennore Port from the list. At the southeastern coast of India, the Kamarajar or Ennore Port stands as India’s first corporatised major port, playing a strategic role for the country’s maritime trade.

Designed with multipurpose terminals and deep draft berths, the Ennore port effectively and efficiently handles the biggest bulk carriers in the world.

Initially, the port was built to import coal to sustain Tamil Nadu’s power stations. But today, the port has become a hub for a variety of cargo. In January 2025, the port exported and imported 25,678 units of mineral fuels, organic chemicals, fish & crustaceans, automobiles, and nuclear reactors, underscoring its growing significance in India's logistics chain.

7. Mumbai Port

Another destination for the top 10 ports of India is the Mumbai Port. Tucked away in the middle of the metropolitan city, this port is a vital entry point for products coming into and going out of the nation.

Moreover, it handles a lot of cargo each year and is a major exporter of plastics, mechanical machinery, electrical equipment, and natural and cultured jewellery and gems.

However, to mention a few, it imports crude oil, watches, clocks, and inorganic chemicals.

In summary, with 25,000 units of cargo sent annually, the Mumbai port is a pillar of Indian trade and remains a vital marine entry point for the country.

8. Vizag Port

En route, our list of the major ports in India, the Visakhapatnam port, in the East Coast, is a natural harbour perfect for handling large vessels.

In addition, the Visakhapatnam port is famous for exporting pharmaceutical products, electrical machinery, salt & sulphur, and importing natural & cultured gems and jewellery, organic chemicals, ores & ash, along with others. With these, it is indeed an essential link in the supply chain for global industries.

What’s more is that the port of Visakhapatnam is known for its sturdy, durable, and advanced facilities that suit heavy industries, especially with their separate berths to accommodate an array of goods.

Did you know that the Visakhapatnam port shipped 8,341 units of cargo in January 2025 and has in-built digital platforms for cargo management, making it a tech-savvy player in the maritime world?

Not to mention, the Visakhapatnam port is a major naval base, apart from being a crucial commercial port.

9. Kandla Port

In the Kutch Gulf of Gujarat, the Kandla port has changed into a crucial gateway for India’s northwestern states.

But what makes this port stand out from other major ports in India? Well, the port’s strategic location connects the hinterlands like Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, and Rajasthan to other parts of the nation.

Paired with the port’s efficient cargo handling capabilities and state-of-the-art infrastructure, the port is an export-import hub for large quantities of liquid cargo, especially petrochemicals, crude oil, etc.

Furthermore, the port’s access to Surat, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad plays a vital role in supporting the state’s textile regions, which are in turn crucial for its economy. Notably, it shipped 2,673 of cargo in January 2025.

10. Paradip Port

Last but not least, the Paradip Port facilitates trade along the eastern corridors of India. What’s fascinating about this port is its location.

With state-of-the-art facilities, the port has emerged as a critical bulk cargo handling centre in the making, trading commodities like iron ore, thermal coal, and petroleum products. In fact, the Pradip port shipped 131 units of cargo. Despite this relatively low value, the port is still a major port for the nation.

The Way Forward

From the historic Kolkata port to the tiniest Port Blair port, every major port in India plays a crucial role in boosting the nation's trade ecosystem. It should be noted that these ports go beyond being a docking station for goods and services from across the globe. Instead, they fuel economic growth, foster international business ties, and support several industries.

Curious to know more about these ports and what they import and export? Book a demo for Ex-Im to understand the top export and import traffic through these ports in India.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the oldest major port in India?
According to India's import-export data, the oldest major port in India is the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, located in Kolkata, West Bengal. Built by the British East India Company, this is the only significant riverine port in India and is a major exporter of leather, copper, coal, steel, and tea.

2. Out of all the major ports in India, which is the smallest port in India?
Port Blair is the smallest port in India. Situated at the heart of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the port connects the island to the rest of the nation, as well as to the globe.

3. Which port is more important for Indian trade?
Amongst all the ports in India, the Mumbai port is one of the busiest and largest, accounting for approximately 60% of the nation's maritime trade. Second to that is the Chennai port.

4. What are the top 6 major ports in India?
While there are 13 major ports in India, the 6 essential ones are the Mumbai Port, Mangalore Port, Kandla Port, JNPT Port, Visakhapatnam Port, and Cochin Port.

5. From the top 10 port companies in India, which are the biggest ones?
Out of all the port conglomerates in India, the Adani ports and the Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ) are a couple of the top port companies in India.

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