India’s non-major ports outpaced major ports in FY24 throughput growth, resurfacing a January 2024 report
Non-major ports handled 531 million metric tonnes in April-December FY24, up 11%, versus 5% growth at major ports to 604 million metric tonnes—signalling faster capacity and cargo momentum at private and state-run facilities, according to data resurfacing from January 2024.
The development
India’s non-major ports grew 11 per cent to 531 mmt in April-December FY24, outpacing major ports’ 5 per cent growth to 604 million metric tonnes.
The numbers
- 604 million metric tonnes (mmt)
- 5 per cent
- 11 per cent
- 531 mmt
- December 2023
Why it matters to operators and investors
Retail operators sourcing through India should evaluate non-major ports for faster-growing capacity and potentially more resilient inbound logistics options.
What to watch next
- Sustained non-major-port throughput growth above major-port growth for two or more quarters.
- New rail sidings, dedicated freight connectivity, container terminals, and warehousing announcements near non-major ports.
- Changes in port tariffs, coastal shipping incentives, customs digitization, or state logistics policies.
- Container dwell-time and vessel turnaround data at major versus non-major ports.
- Freight-rate differentials and carrier additions of direct calls to private-port terminals.
The counter-case
The 6-point growth gap may overstate a structural shift: non-major ports are growing from a smaller base, may be benefiting from project cargo, commodities, or temporary routing changes, and still handled less total cargo than major ports during the period. Faster throughput does not necessarily mean better reliability, lower logistics costs, or greater capacity for retail import supply chains.