Kandla Port Reclaims Top Spot Among Major Ports, Surpasses Paradip with 160.11 MT Cargo in FY26.

Deendayal Port Authority in Gujarat has reclaimed the top position among India’s major ports after a gap of two years, overtaking Paradip Port Authority by handling a record 160.11 million tonnes (MT) of cargo in FY26. The milestone marks the port’s highest-ever throughput and represents a 7 percent increase over the 150 MT handled in FY25.

Industry sources indicated that Paradip Port handled 156.45 MT during the same period. Kandla had ceded the top position to Paradip in FY24 but regained the lead on the back of strong growth across multiple cargo segments, including fertilisers, liquid cargo, containers, iron and steel, and clay.

Container volumes recorded a sharp 54 percent increase, while fertiliser cargo rose 32 percent and liquid cargo grew by 23.4 percent. Shipments of iron and steel climbed 43 percent, and clay volumes increased by 17 percent, reflecting broad-based expansion in key segments.

These gains helped offset declines in timber cargo, which fell 4.3 percent, salt shipments that dropped 12.4 percent, crude and petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) at Vadinar, which declined 5 percent, and coal volumes, which were down 2.8 percent. The performance underscores the port’s ability to diversify its cargo mix while scaling operations efficiently.

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