Major Ports in India: Gateways of Global Trade

 India's 7,500-kilometer coastline makes it a maritime giant linking the subcontinent to global markets. Its ports function as crucial trade channels handling over 90% of its international trade by volume and about 70% by value. The country's 13 major ports located along both eastern and western shores, play a key role in India's economic growth and its rising importance in world trade.

This post will give you a rundown of these major ports, look at what they export, point out why they matter , and zero in on one of the most talked-about new ports — the Vizhinjam International Seaport. This breakdown will be helpful for people keeping tabs on India's import-export numbers, or those working with companies that provide global import-export data.

Overview of Major Ports in India

India has 13 major ports, categorized under the central government, and over 200 minor and intermediate ports under state governance. The 13 major ports are:

1. Kandla (Deendayal Port), Gujarat

2. Mumbai Port, Maharashtra

3. Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT), Maharashtra

4. Mormugao Port, Goa

5. New Mangalore Port, Karnataka

6. Cochin Port, Kerala

7. Chennai Port, Tamil Nadu

8. Ennore (Kamarajar) Port, Tamil Nadu

9. Vishakhapatnam Port, Andhra Pradesh

10. Paradip Port, Odisha

11. Haldia Port (part of Kolkata Port), West Bengal

12. Kolkata Port, West Bengal

13. Tuticorin (V.O. Chidambaranar) Port, Tamil Nadu

These ports play a central role in handling the import and export data of India, enabling everything from oil and coal to electronics and agricultural goods to reach global markets.

13 Major Ports: States and Export Highlights

Port	State	Major Export Products
Kandla (Deendayal)	Gujarat	Petroleum products, salt, textiles
Mumbai Port	Maharashtra	Chemicals, machinery, garments
JNPT (Nhava Sheva)	Maharashtra	Electronics, auto parts, textiles
Mormugao	Goa	Iron ore, manganese
New Mangalore	Karnataka	Coffee, cashew, granite
Cochin	Kerala	Seafood, spices, coir products
Chennai	Tamil Nadu	Automobiles, leather, machinery
Ennore (Kamarajar)	Tamil Nadu	Coal, petroleum products
Vishakhapatnam	Andhra Pradesh	Iron ore, alumina, seafood
Paradip	Odisha	Coal, iron ore, fertilizer
Haldia	West Bengal	Petrochemicals, jute products
Kolkata	West Bengal	Tea, jute, leather
Tuticorin	Tamil Nadu	Salt, garments, seafood

Each port specializes based on local industry clusters, making them strategic assets not only for local economies but for India’s position in global import export data rankings.

Port-wise Export Value and Country Connections

Understanding which countries India exports to via these ports adds valuable context for import export data analysts:

• Kandla & JNPT handle large volumes to Middle Eastern nations, especially UAE and Saudi Arabia.

• Chennai and Ennore see significant exports to ASEAN countries, such as Malaysia and Singapore.

• Tuticorin and Cochin connect mainly with European and African nations, for spices and seafood.

• Paradip and Vishakhapatnam are crucial for bulk exports to China, Japan, and South Korea, primarily raw materials.

• Kolkata & Haldia facilitate trade with Bangladesh, Nepal, and East Asia, due to their eastern proximity.

Such port-wise segmentation is essential for businesses working with a global import export data provider to optimize supply chains and reduce logistical costs.

Vizhinjam International Seaport: A Strategic Leap Forward

What is Vizhinjam Port?

The Vizhinjam International Seaport is India’s first deep-water, all-weather container transshipment terminal, located near Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Developed by Adani Ports, the port is expected to be operational soon and will become a game-changer in South Asia’s maritime trade.

Key Features

• Natural depth of over 20 meters: No need for extensive dredging.

• Proximity to International Shipping Lanes: Just 10 nautical miles from the busiest East-West shipping route.

• Modern transshipment capacity: Meant to rival ports like Colombo (Sri Lanka) and Singapore.

Benefits for India

1. Reduce Transshipment Dependency: India currently transships a large share of its cargo via foreign ports. Vizhinjam will reduce this dependency, cutting costs and time.

2. Enhance India’s Export Competitiveness: Especially for time-sensitive products like perishables and electronics.

3. Boost Domestic Manufacturing: Local industries in Kerala and Tamil Nadu will benefit from faster access to global markets.

4. Strengthen National Logistics Policy (NLP): Aligns with India's plan to cut logistics costs from 13% to 8% of GDP.

For stakeholders tracking India import export data, Vizhinjam represents a high-potential node of future trade activity, worth close attention in datasets and forecasting.

India's Port Strategy and the Role of Data

In today's world of agile supply chains and just-in-time delivery, import export data is no longer optional — it’s mission-critical. Understanding port performance, commodity flows, and country-wise trade splits can help businesses:

• Anticipate demand trends

• Optimize port selection

• Identify growth opportunities

Leveraging a global import export data provider helps exporters and importers keep pace with competition, track compliance regulations, and manage international freight efficiently.

Conclusion

India's 13 major ports are not just logistical points — they are gateways to global commerce. From historical ports like Kolkata to emerging powerhouses like Vizhinjam, each plays a unique role in India's export-led growth. As India aspires to become a $5 trillion economy, these ports — backed by robust India import export data — will be central to achieving that goal.

Businesses that harness the insights of import export data, especially from a global import export data provider, will be better positioned to navigate uncertainties, scale operations, and enter new markets. Whether you're shipping spices from Cochin or electronics from JNPT, India’s ports are your bridge to the world.