India's annual port cargo handling capacity has risen 22% since 2017-18, from 2.3 billion tonnes to 2.8 billion tonnes, according to a joint report by FICCI and Kearney released at the Maritime India Conference & Expo 2026 in Mumbai. Cargo handling at major and non-major ports grew 38% to 1,668 million tonnes, while capacity utilization edged up from 52% to 59%. Vessel turnaround time fell 18% to about 49 hours. Yet post-customs delays persist: the 2025 National Time Release Study found the gap between clearance and vessel departure reached 158 hours, or 84% of total time. International ports still handled roughly 75% of India's transshipment containers as of May 2025.
According to marineinsight.com, India’s annual cargo handling capacity has grown 22% since 2017-18, but persistent logistics gaps continue to hold back trade efficiency, according to a joint report by FICCI and consultancy Kearney.
Capacity and throughput gains
National port capacity climbed from 2.3 billion tonnes to 2.8 billion tonnes a year, ANI reported on November 3. The figures were released at the Maritime India Conference & Expo 2026, hosted by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry in Mumbai.
Cargo handling across major and non-major ports rose from 1,209 million tonnes to 1,668 million tonnes, a 38% increase. Despite that volume growth, port capacity utilization moved only from 52% to 59%, leaving considerable headroom unused.
Efficiency at major ports also improved, with average vessel turnaround time falling 18% to around 49 hours. Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, Pipavav and Mundra were ranked among the top 30 dockyards in the Container Port Performance Index 2025 published by the World Bank.
Post-clearance delays dominate total time
Delays after customs discharge remain a major hurdle. According to the 2025 National Time Release Study covering four key seaports, export approvals required an average of 30 hours.
The gap between official clearance and vessel departure stood at 158 hours, accounting for 84% of total time. The report characterizes this interval as reflecting logistics activity and scheduled waiting rather than purely avoidable delay.
“The gap shows logistics activity and scheduled waiting, not just avoidable delay.” — FICCI-Kearney report
Transshipment reliance on foreign hubs
As of May 2025, international ports handled around 75% of India’s transshipment containers. Vizhinjam began operations that month, adding deep-water capacity to the domestic network.
The report states that shifts in shipping-line rotations reflect continuing structural challenges in building domestic transshipment capability, according to ANI. It benchmarks India’s commercial corridors against major hubs including Shanghai-Ningbo, Singapore, Jebel Ali and Rotterdam.
Recommendations for investment and links
The report calls for dedicated development plans for transshipment hubs, container ports and export corridors, and recommends aligning port investment strategy with inland transport and shipping services.
- Prioritize road and rail links around cargo flows
- Use shipment-time data to identify bottlenecks
- Develop specific plans for transshipment hubs, container ports and export corridors
These measures are positioned as necessary to convert capacity growth into trade efficiency gains, with the report urging that investment planning be coordinated across port, inland transport and shipping services rather than treated in isolation.
Source: marineinsight.com
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
