<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;
line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">India’s maritime sector
has reached a historic milestone, with Major Ports handling a record <b>915.17
million tonnes (MT)</b> of cargo in the fiscal year 2025–26. Surpassing the
government’s target of 904 MT, the sector recorded a robust <b>7.06%
year-on-year growth</b>, signalling a major leap in India’s logistics
efficiency and trade capacity.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;
line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">For stakeholders in the <b>India-Middle
East corridor</b>, this surge in throughput is a critical indicator of the
rising trade momentum between the two regions, particularly in the movement of
energy, fertilizers, and containerized goods.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;
line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Top Performers: The
Engines of Regional Trade<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;
line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The record-breaking
performance was led by key gateways that serve as the primary links to Gulf
markets:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0cm" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;
tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Deendayal Port Authority:</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
Emerged as the national leader, handling <b>160.11 MT</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;
tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Paradip Port Authority:</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
Followed closely with <b>156.45 MT</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;
tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority
(JNPA):</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> Crossed the century mark with <b>102.01
MT</b>, recording a high growth rate of <b>10.74%</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;
line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Notably, <b>Mormugao Port
Authority</b> saw the highest growth spike at <b>15.91%</b>, reflecting
improved turnaround times and modernization efforts that are making Indian
ports more competitive on the global stage.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;
line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Efficiency Gains &
Infrastructure Modernization<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;
line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Under the <i>Maritime
Amrit Kaal Vision 2047</i>, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has
focused on "smart" port initiatives that directly benefit the <b>India-Middle
East trade artery</b>. These record volumes were driven by:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0cm" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;
tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Enhanced Connectivity:</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
Improved hinterland linkages ensuring cargo moves faster from India’s
industrial heartlands to the coast.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;
tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Digital Integration:</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
The adoption of smart port technologies that mirror the high-efficiency
standards of Middle Eastern hubs like <b>Jebel Ali</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;
tab-stops:list 36.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Commodity Surge:</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
Increased handling of crude oil, fertilizers, and containers—the bedrock
of trade between India and the GCC.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;
line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;
line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Surpassing the 915 MT
mark is not just a statistical win; it is a clear signal to the global shipping
community that India’s port infrastructure is scaling up to meet the demands of
a high-growth economy. For logistics providers operating between the Subcontinent
and the Middle East, this growth translates into better port availability,
improved vessel turnaround times, and a more resilient supply chain.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;
line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">As India moves toward its
2047 maritime vision, the focus remains on port-led development that will
further cement the Arabian Sea as one of the world's most efficient commercial
corridors.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;
line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span></p>