Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Kandla, has crossed 100 million tonnes of cargo in FY 2025–26, becoming India’s fastest major port to reach the mark, according to the port’s announcement on November 27.
The port reported a 6.78% year-on-year rise in overall cargo volumes, noting that growth was broad-based across liquid, dry bulk, break-bulk and container cargo.
Fertiliser volumes rose by more than 80% from last year’s level, iron and steel traffic by about 50%, containerised cargo by over 60%, petroleum, oil and lubricants by nearly 35%, and wooden log imports by more than 20%, figures attributed to DPA chairman Sushil Kumar Singh showed.
Port officials linked the result to higher demand and operational measures including faster marine and berth operations, stronger evacuation systems, and improved rail and road connectivity to the northern hinterland. They also pointed to upgrades in storage yards, logistics infrastructure and digital systems.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal publicly endorsed the achievement, writing: “Heartiest congratulations to Team Deendayal Port on becoming the fastest major port to cross 100 MMT in FY 2025–26,” adding that it reflects efforts to build “world-class maritime infrastructure and efficient ports for a stronger, future-ready maritime India.”
The announcement follows several operational records, including handling 40 vessels within 24 hours in mid-November and discharging 81,024 tonnes of coal in a day from the vessel MV Marathos. DPA handled about 132.3 million tonnes in FY 2023–24, around 137.6 million tonnes in FY 2022–23 and roughly 150 million tonnes in FY 2024–25. With an installed capacity of about 269 million tonnes, the port says it has room to support further growth.
The Kandla complex serves industrial regions across north, west and central India, handling cargo such as crude oil, petroleum products, coal, ores, fertilisers, steel, salt, foodgrains and containers. Formerly known as Kandla Port Trust, it was renamed Deendayal Port Trust in 2017 and later reconstituted as Deendayal Port Authority under the Major Port Authorities law.
