- Reporting a notable 13% year-on-year growth, the port stands out among India’s major ports in terms of cargo volume
- Plans to invest Rs 57,000 crore for ship-building and new cargo terminal
NE BUSINESS BUREAU
KANDLA, APR 5
Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Kandla, has crossed the 150 million metric tonnes (MMT) mark in cargo handling for the 2024-25 financial year, achieving 150.16 MMT — the highest-ever cargo volume handled in its history, it said on Saturday.
DPA said it achieved a 13 per cent year-on-year growth, the highest among all major ports, in FY25.
In container operations, a new record was set in March with 56,955 TEUs handled, while DPA also saw its highest – 375 – – number of cargo vessels in a month in January.
Its overall cargo volume of 16332481 MTs in March ’25 surpassed the previous record of 13100096 MTs in January ’25.
In the new fiscal year, DPA has plans to achieve system improvement, with a strategic focus on enhancing operational efficiency across the board, it said.
“At the heart of this initiative is the ambitious target of achieving ‘Berthing on Arrival’, ensuring that vessels face no waiting time upon reaching the port. This seamless berthing strategy is expected to significantly boost productivity, reduce vessel turnaround time and accelerate cargo evacuation processes,” stated the release.
In line with the Centre’s Green Hydrogen Mission, the Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal recently flagged off India’s first indigenous electrolysers for setting-up of 1 MW green hydrogen plant at Kandla, marking a major leap in sustainable port operations, it said.
A mega shipbuilding project worth Rs 30,000 crore is set to transform the region into a global maritime powerhouse, along with a new cargo terminal coming up outside Kandla creek with an investment of Rs 27,000 crore, adding 135 million tonnes per annum to Kandla Port’s capacity, it said.
Speaking on the occasion, DPA Chairman Sushil Kumar Singh said, “This achievement is not just a number, it reflects the strength of our partnerships, the dedication of our people and the limitless potential of Deendayal Port Authority. Together, we are shaping the future of India’s maritime growth.”
