Archive · 19 Jul 2026
India's Port Sector Sees Differentiated Growth with Container Traffic Leading
India's port sector is growing in different ways.
Container traffic is expected to grow the fastest at 7-9% per year until FY28, thanks to good economic conditions and more use of containers.
Major ports are doing much better than non-major ports, with cargo volumes up by 7% in FY26.
Coal traffic is expected to decrease by 2-4% per year, while iron ore traffic will grow by 5-7% per year.
The government is also supporting the sector with new projects and plans to increase port handling capacity to 10,000 MTPA by 2047.
Private players like APSEZ and JSWINFRA are expected to grow even faster than the industry average.
However, there are some risks like geopolitical tensions and competition from other ports.
Container traffic in India is projected to grow at a 7-9% CAGR over FY26-FY28, driven by favourable macroeconomic conditions and increased containerisation.
Major ports in India saw a 7% y-o-y increase in cargo volumes in FY26, while non-major ports reported modest growth of 1.4% y-o-y.
Coal traffic is expected to decline by 2-4% annually, while iron ore traffic is projected to grow at a 5-7% CAGR over FY26-FY28.
The government's NMP 2.0 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 aim to develop world-class port infrastructure and increase port handling capacity to 10,000 MTPA by 2047.
Private players like APSEZ and JSWINFRA are expected to outperform the industry with sustained growth of 2-3x the industry average.
- Who
- Indian port sector, including major and non-major ports, private players like APSEZ and JSWINFRA
- What
- Differentiated growth in container traffic, coal decline, and moderate gains in POL and iron ore
- When
- FY26-FY28 for container traffic projections; FY26 data for cargo volumes
- Where
- India, with a focus on major and non-major ports
- Why
- Favourable macroeconomic conditions, rising domestic consumption, policy support, and strategic location
- Container Traffic Growth
- 7-9% CAGR over FY26-FY28
- Major Ports Cargo Growth
- 7% y-o-y in FY26
- Non-Major Ports Cargo Growth
- 1.4% y-o-y in FY26
- Coal Traffic Decline
- 2-4% compounding decline
- Iron Ore Traffic Growth
- 5-7% CAGR over FY26-FY28
- POL Traffic Growth
- 2-4% CAGR over FY26-FY28
- Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 Target
- 10,000 MTPA port handling capacity by 2047
- NMP 2.0 Projects
- 44 brownfield port infrastructure projects for monetisation