Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), India's largest container-handling port, has reported its highest-ever monthly container throughput for October 2026, handling 864,255 TEUs. This figure represents a 27.05% increase compared with the 680,227 TEUs handled in October 2025, and surpasses the previous monthly record of 834,697 TEUs established just one month earlier in September 2026 . The consecutive record-breaking months signal sustained momentum in India's containerized trade and underscore JNPA's operational capacity to absorb growing volumes.
The port's total cargo throughput for October also reached a new monthly high of 10.12 million tonnes, up 19.08% from 8.50 million tonnes in the same month last year . Containerized cargo accounted for 9.29 million tonnes of the total, an increase of 21.56% year-on-year, while bulk cargo declined marginally from 0.86 million tonnes to 0.83 million tonnes. The data indicates that the growth in overall tonnage was driven almost entirely by container movements rather than bulk handling activity, reflecting the strength of India's export-oriented manufacturing and trade sectors.
On a cumulative basis, JNPA handled 5,525,772 TEUs during the April–October period of fiscal year 2026-27, representing an 18.99% increase over the 4,643,742 TEUs recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year . Total cargo throughput for the seven-month period reached 66.39 million tonnes, up 14.20% from 58.13 million tonnes. Containerized cargo contributed 61.58 million tonnes to the total, while bulk cargo accounted for 4.81 million tonnes, down from 5.45 million tonnes in the prior-year period.
Terminal-level performance provided additional evidence of the port's operational strength. PSA Mumbai, one of JNPA's key container terminals, set a new monthly record by handling 313,500 TEUs in October, alongside a weekly record of 80,500 TEUs during the final week of the month . The terminal managed nearly 85,000 truck movements without gate congestion, demonstrating the effectiveness of enhanced gate automation and coordinated evacuation processes. The October port-wide performance built upon September's record of 834,697 TEUs, which itself had surpassed the August 2026 high of 831,956 TEUs .
Rail-linked container evacuation at JNPA also showed improvement in efficiency during October. The port recorded 602 container train movements (rakes) compared with 608 in October 2025, yet rail-associated container volume increased by 4.5% from 99,726 TEUs to 104,209 TEUs . This indicates that more container units were handled per rake on average, reflecting improved rail utilization and terminal coordination. For the April–October period, rail throughput rose 0.91% to 694,221 TEUs despite a 4.62% decline in the number of rakes, further confirming gains in operational productivity.
The record throughput figures align with broader trends across India's major ports, which recorded an 8% increase in cargo traffic during the first half of FY27. JNPA led the container segment with a 17.61% increase to 4.66 million TEUs during April–September, while total cargo rose 13.36% to 56.26 million tonnes . Industry analysts attribute the growth to India's strong export momentum, particularly in containerized goods, and the port's ability to maintain fluid operations despite periodic volume surges. In early October, JNPA had demonstrated its operational resilience when a sharp surge in export cargo and the simultaneous berthing of more than 15 vessels caused temporary gate queues, which were resolved within 48 hours through coordinated interventions with terminal operators, CFSs, and local traffic authorities .
The sustained volume growth at JNPA has strategic implications for India's logistics sector. As the port continues to break monthly records, carriers have responded by committing additional independent services to Indian trade lanes, including new routes from OOCL, HMM, and Emirates Shipping Line. The port's ability to maintain efficient gate operations, rail evacuation, and yard management at record volumes will be critical as India pursues its broader ambitions to expand containerized trade and reduce logistics costs. JNPA's performance in October 2026 establishes a new benchmark for India's port sector and provides a strong foundation for the remaining months of the fiscal year.