On National Maritime Day, Sushil Kumar Singh, Chairman of Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), announced that Kandla port managed a record volume of 160.11 million metric tonnes of cargo in the financial year 2025-26, the highest in the history of any major port in India.

He stated, “In the past financial year, 2025-26, Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla port, has handled the highest volume of cargo of 160.11 million metric tons, which is the highest in the history of any major port. Kandla port has achieved a new historic level. We are aiming for 170 million metric tons. This is India’s first port where we have conducted a trial of methanol bunkering.”

This achievement marks a significant increase from 150 million tons handled the previous year, representing a 7 per cent year-on-year growth. The DPA has secured the status of India’s number one major port in terms of cargo throughput.

The growth is attributed to the collective efforts of the port’s leadership, employees, dock workers, trade unions, public-private partnership operators, stakeholders, and devoted Shramiks, contributing to the port’s operational excellence and national pride.

Detailed statistics indicate substantial increases in various cargo types: fertilisers rose by approximately 32 per cent, liquid cargo by 23.4 per cent, and container cargo by 54 per cent. Iron and steel volumes grew by 43 per cent, and clay saw a 17 per cent rise.