Cargo Powerhouse: Deendayal Port Hits All-Time High of 160.11 MT

Deendayal Port Authority in Gujarat has regained the top position among India’s major ports after a two-year gap, surpassing Paradip Port Authority by handling a record 160.11 million tonnes (MT) of cargo in FY26. This marks the port’s highest-ever throughput and reflects a 7% increase over the 150 MT handled in FY25.

Industry sources indicated that Paradip Port handled 156.45 MT during the same period. Deendayal Port had lost its leading position to Paradip in FY24 but reclaimed it on the back of strong growth across multiple cargo segments, including fertilisers, liquid cargo, containers, iron and steel, and clay.

Container volumes surged 54%, while fertiliser cargo rose 32% and liquid cargo increased by 23.4%. Shipments of iron and steel grew 43%, and clay volumes expanded by 17%, highlighting broad-based momentum across key segments.

These gains helped offset declines in other categories, including timber cargo (down 4.3%), salt shipments (down 12.4%), crude and petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) at Vadinar (down 5%), and coal volumes (down 2.8%). Overall, the performance underscores the port’s ability to diversify its cargo mix while scaling operations efficiently.

A port official noted that crossing the 160 million tonne milestone reflects not only a numerical achievement but also the resilience, coordination, and sustained efforts of the entire port ecosystem.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.