Rise in Coastal Trade Lifts Non-Major Port Cargo Handling
India’s non-major ports experienced a slight increase in cargo handling, reaching 377.90 million tonnes from April to September in FY2026–27, marking a 0.95% rise year-on-year. This growth was primarily fueled by a 10.78% surge in domestic coastal traffic, which helped offset a 1.16% decline in overseas cargo. However, September saw a dip in performance, with cargo volumes decreasing by 0.90% compared to the previous year, indicating a lack of consistent momentum going into the latter half of the financial year.
Coastal cargo accounted for approximately 19.4% of total traffic, while overseas shipments comprised 80.6%. The notable growth in coastal movements highlights a shift in the cargo mix rather than a universally strong demand across categories. Despite the overall increase, the decline in overseas cargo poses questions about which specific commodities were impacted, complicating the analysis of market performance.
Container traffic demonstrated positive results, with a 6.40% rise in volume to 83.47 million tonnes, further emphasizing the need for detailed examinations of cargo types and regional performances. Gujarat maintained its leading position, contributing 64.51% of total non-major-port cargo and growing by 1.98%, while Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh displayed varying levels of performance. This variance underscores the complexities of the market, where localized shifts can markedly influence national results.
