Major ports in India:
– on the West Coast are Kandla Port in Gujarat, Mumbai Port and Nhava Sheva in Maharashtra, Mormugao Port in Goa, New Mangalore Port in Karnataka, and Kochi Port in Kerala
– on the East Coast are Kolkata Port in West Bengal, Paradip Port in Odisha, Visakhapatnam Port in Andhra Pradesh, Ennore Port, Chennai Port and Tuticorin Port in Tamil Nadu.
This post will provide an in-depth look at each of these ports, focusing on their major exports and imports
Major Ports in India on Map
Note: Ports in India are majorly regulated by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
List of Major Ports in India
Major Ports in India
| Port Name (Alternate Name) | State/Union Territory | Major Exports | Major Imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kandla Port (Deendayal Port) | Gujarat | Grains, Salt, Textiles | Petroleum, Chemicals |
| Mumbai Port | Maharashtra | Textiles, Petrochemicals | Crude Oil, Electronics |
| Nhava Sheva (Jawaharlal Nehru Port) | Maharashtra | Textiles, Machinery | Electronics, Gold |
| Mormugao Port | Goa | Iron Ore, Steel | Coal, Fertilizers |
| New Mangalore Port | Karnataka | Coffee, Cashew | Crude Oil, Coal |
| Kochi Port (Cochin) | Kerala | Tea, Spices | Petroleum, Electronics |
| Kolkata Port (including Haldia) | West Bengal | Jute, Tea | Iron Ore, Petroleum |
| Paradip Port | Odisha | Iron Ore, Coal | Crude Oil, Fertilizers |
| Visakhapatnam Port | Andhra Pradesh | Iron Ore, Textiles | Crude Oil, Coal |
| Kamarajar Port (Ennore) | Tamil Nadu | Automobiles, Coal | Crude Oil, Electronics |
| Chennai Port | Tamil Nadu | Leather, Textiles | Petroleum, Electronics |
| Tuticorin Port (V.O. Chidambaranar Port) | Tamil Nadu | Textiles, Marine Products | Coal, Petroleum |
| Port Blair | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Seafood, Handicrafts | Food Items, Machinery |
West Coast Ports
Kandla Port (Deendayal Port)
- Location: Gujarat
- Major Exports: Grains, Salt, Textiles
- Major Imports: Petroleum, Chemicals
- Significance: Vital for trade in western and northern India.
- Infrastructure: Equipped with modern cargo-handling equipment.
- Operations: Specializes in handling bulk cargo like coal and salt.
Mumbai Port
- Location: Maharashtra
- Major Exports: Textiles, Petrochemicals
- Major Imports: Crude Oil, Electronics
- Significance: Oldest modern port, vital for Mumbai region.
- Infrastructure: Multiple berths and terminals.
- Operations: Handles both container and bulk cargo.
Nhava Sheva (JNPT: Jawaharlal Nehru Port)
- Location: Maharashtra
- Major Exports: Textiles, Machinery
- Major Imports: Electronics, Gold
- Significance: India’s largest container port.
- Infrastructure: State-of-the-art container terminals.
- Operations: Handles about 50% of India’s containerized cargo.
Mormugao Port
- Location: Goa
- Major Exports: Iron Ore, Steel
- Major Imports: Coal, Fertilizers
- Significance: Key outlet for mineral exports.
- Infrastructure: Deep-water berths.
- Operations: Primarily handles bulk cargo like iron ore.
Mangalore Port
- Location: Karnataka
- Major Exports: Coffee, Cashew
- Major Imports: Crude Oil, Coal
- Significance: Important for Karnataka’s agricultural exports.
- Infrastructure: Well-equipped cargo-handling facilities.
- Operations: Handles POL (Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants) and general cargo.
Kochi Port (Cochin)
- Location: Kerala
- Major Exports: Tea, Spices
- Major Imports: Petroleum, Electronics
- Significance: Strategic location near international sea routes.
- Infrastructure: Natural deep-water harbor.
- Operations: Handles a variety of cargo including containers and bulk.
East Coast Ports
Kolkata Port (and Haldia)
- Location: West Bengal
- Major Exports: Jute, Tea
- Major Imports: Iron Ore, Petroleum
- Significance: Oldest operating port, serves eastern India.
- Infrastructure: Two separate docks (Kolkata & Haldia).
- Operations: Handles a diverse range of cargo.
Paradip Port
- Location: Odisha
- Major Exports: Iron Ore, Coal
- Major Imports: Crude Oil, Fertilizers
- Significance: Important for mineral-rich states like Odisha and Jharkhand.
- Infrastructure: Deep-water facilities.
- Operations: Specializes in bulk cargo.
Visakhapatnam Port
- Location: Andhra Pradesh
- Major Exports: Iron Ore, Textiles
- Major Imports: Crude Oil, Coal
- Significance: One of the largest ports in India.
- Infrastructure: Natural deep-water harbors.
- Operations: Handles a variety of cargo including bulk and containers.
Kamarajar Port (Ennore)
- Location: Tamil Nadu
- Major Exports: Automobiles, Coal
- Major Imports: Crude Oil, Electronics
- Significance: Newest major port, serves southern India.
- Infrastructure: Specialized berths for “clean cargo.”
- Operations: Primarily handles automobiles and coal.
Chennai Port
- Location: Tamil Nadu
- Major Exports: Leather, Textiles
- Major Imports: Petroleum, Electronics
- Significance: Second-largest container port, vital for South India.
- Infrastructure: Multiple container terminals.
- Operations: Handles a mix of container and bulk cargo.
Tuticorin Port (V.O. Chidambaranar Port)
- Location: Tamil Nadu
- Major Exports: Textiles, Marine Products
- Major Imports: Coal, Petroleum
- Significance: Important for textile and seafood exports.
- Infrastructure: Natural deep-water harbor.
- Operations: Handles a variety of cargo including bulk and containers.
Port Blair
- Location: Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Major Exports: Seafood, Handicrafts
- Major Imports: Food Items, Machinery
- Significance: Strategic for India’s maritime security.
- Infrastructure: Limited but essential facilities.
- Operations: Serves as a trade gateway for the islands.
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