Non-Major Port Cargo Edges Up as Coastal Trade and Containers Gain

India’s non-major ports handled 377.90 million tonnes of cargo in April–September FY2026–27, up 0.95% year on year. Stronger coastal movements offset declining overseas cargo, while container traffic expanded. State-level performance remained uneven, with Gujarat retaining its dominant share, Maharashtra recording growth and Andhra Pradesh reporting a decline.

Non-major port cargo increased by 3.54 million tonnes during the first half of FY2026–27, compared with 374.36 million tonnes in the corresponding period a year earlier, according to advance estimates.

The modest increase concealed a marked difference between coastal and overseas movements. Domestic coastal traffic expanded at a double-digit rate, providing the principal support for overall tonnage as overseas cargo contracted.

September was weaker than the cumulative half-year performance. Cargo handled during the month stood at 64.49 million tonnes, down 0.90% year on year. The monthly decline indicates that the sector entered the second half of the financial year without broad-based momentum across its traffic categories.

This story was originally published by Maritime Gateway. Read the full story at Maritime Gateway →