Which is the largest commercial Port in India? Check all Details Here!

Aug 26, 2025, 13:57 IST

Mundra Port, India’s largest commercial port, is a strategic trade hub on Gujarat’s coast. With world-class infrastructure, multimodal connectivity, and year-round operability, it handles diverse cargo and nearly a third of India’s container traffic. As part of Adani Ports and SEZ, Mundra drives economic growth, energy security, and global trade integration.

Which is the largest commercial Port in India?
Which is the largest commercial Port in India?

An Indian major seaport is not just a gateway to sea routes; rather, it accelerates India’s economic growth by exporting to and importing from not only within India but also from various countries. Majorly, India exhibit 13 major ports which were recognised by the Government of India. But in India, there is also a hub of private commercial ports. 

In many largest ports in India, there is also one port considered, which is Mundra Port. This port is India’s largest commercial port.

In this article, we will explore all the necessary details about the Mundra Port.

Which is the largest commercial Port in India?

Mundra Port is the largest commercial Port in India. This port in Gujarat stands as one of India’s biggest gateways for trade and commerce. Mundra Port is strategically located on the northern shores of the Gulf of Kutch in the Kutch district. 

This deep-draft, all-weather port plays a crucial role in connecting India’s northern hinterland to global markets.

Mundra Port is often described as an infrastructural marvel in ports, and Mundra Port is also considered the largest private and container port in India. It is also a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which further boosts its importance in trade and logistics. 

In India, almost ⅓ traffic for containers passes through Mundra Port only, and this port plays a central role in the country’s maritime economy.

What is the timeline of Mundra Port?

Timeline of Mundra Port is given below in a table:

Year / Period

Key Milestones

1998

The first phase begins with Berths 1 and 2 becoming operational.

1999

It make expansion continues as Berths 3 and 4 start operations.

2001

  • In this year, railway connectivity was established which is linked Mundra port to the national grid. 

  • In Mundra port, there was a setup of Adani Foundation, which is showing the Group’s focus on community development.

2003

From this year, Container Terminal 1 was beginning of operation which marks a big step towards containerised cargo handling.

2005

In 2005, there was a further growth with the launch of Single Point Mooring (SPM) facilities and Container Terminal 2.

2007 – 2013

  • From 2007 to 2015, during this phase, there was a rapid expansion in Mundra Port: Terminal 2 (T2)

  • An Auto Terminal, the West Basin, and Terminal 3 (T3) are developed.

  • This port also become the Indis’s first port to handle 100 million tonnes of cargo.

2019

In 2019, Mundra port also started the handling of LNG and LPG operations which becomes a new benchmark set in India’s energy logistic.

2022

  • In the journey of Mundra Port, it achieves a historic milestone as the first Indian port to handle 300 million tonnes of cargo

  • The same year, APL Raffles, one of the largest container ships in the world, docks at Mundra.

Key Highlights of Mundra Port

  • Ownership of the Mundra Port: Mundra Port is operated by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ). It is the India’s largest commercial port operator, which manages nearly 25% of the nation’s cargo movement.

  • Capacity of the Mundra Port: It  has total handling capacity of 260 million metric tonnes (MMT) and it is managed over 155 MMT in FY 2022-23 which is accounting for about 11% of India’s maritime cargo.

  • Infrastructure of the Mundra Port: this port is equipped with 26 berths and two single-point moorings, enabling it to handle diverse vessels and cargo.

  • Cargo Types of Mundra Port: This port is deals with containers, dry bulk, break bulk, liquid cargo, automobiles, and is home to India’s largest coal import terminal, ensuring faster cargo clearance and reduced turnaround time.

  • Connectivity of the Mundra Port: This port is linked to the national railway network, providing cargo movement to almost any part of India.

APSEZ-MUNDRA---COMPREHENSIV1

Source: adaniports

What are the Capabilities and Infrastructure of the Mundra port?

Mundra Port is designed with a deep draft, all-weather, and direct berthing facilities, making it one of the most versatile ports in the world. It has the capacity to accommodate:

  • It is the largest crude oil carriers (VLCCs)

  • It is the world’s biggest cape-size bulk carriers

  • It is the largest container vessels

  • It is the largest car carriers

  • It is the largest LNG carriers

Mundra-Banner

Source: adaniports

In worldwide market for global trade, Mundra Port has its unique for the “Year-Round-Operability”, which means that this port doent not lose a single operational day to weather condition may be arise. 

Mundra is equipped with world-class support infrastructure, including a modern fleet of tugs and dredgers, ensuring round-the-clock, seamless operations under all conditions.

What are the significance of the Mundra Port?

The significance of the Mundra Port are given below in the table:

Aspect

Key Points

Economic Importance

  • India’s largest commercial port- Handles diverse cargo (coal, crude, 

  • LNG, containers, cars, agri-goods)- Boosts exports & imports for northern and western India- Reduces logistics costs & turnaround time

Strategic Importance

  • Located on Gujarat coast, close to major global shipping routes

  • Enhances India’s energy security (VLCCs & LNG carriers)- Key hub for trade with Middle East, Africa, Europe & Asia

Infrastructure & Connectivity

  • Deep-draft, all-weather berths- Capable of handling the world’s largest vessels

  • Strong road, rail, pipeline, and inland logistics integration- Advanced terminals (container, car, LNG, SPMs)

Industrial & Regional Growth

  • Hosts Mundra SEZ, promoting exports & investments- Generates large-scale employment

  • Catalyst for port-led development under Sagarmala

Environmental & Operational Efficiency

  • This port gives 24×7, uninterrupted operations with zero weather downtime

  • Modern dredgers & tug fleet- Increasing use of sustainable and renewable energy practices

Conclusion

Mundra Port stands as India’s largest commercial port, symbolising the nation’s maritime strength and economic growth. This port has the world-class infrastructure, deep connectivity, and year-round operability, which accelerate India's economy and create a key pillar for India to stand in global trade.


Prabhat Mishra
Prabhat Mishra

Content Writer

    Prabhat Mishra is an accomplished content creator with over 2 years of expertise in education, national and international news, and current affairs. A B.Tech graduate with extensive UPSC preparation, he has qualified for the UPPCS 2022 Mains and Bihar 68th Mains, showcasing his deep understanding of competitive exams.

    He has contributed to top platforms like Mentorship IndiaIAS BABA, and IAS SARTHI, delivering engaging articles on trending topics and global affairs. As a content writer for Jagranjosh.com, Prabhat specializes in crafting high-quality, insightful content for the G.K. and Current Affairs section, driving engagement and providing value to a wide audience.

    Reach him at prabhat.mishra@jagrannewmedia.com, and explore his work on Jagranjosh.com for the latest updates and analyses!

    ... Read More

    Get here current GK and GK quiz questions in English and Hindi for India, World, Sports and Competitive exam preparation. Download the Jagran Josh Current Affairs App.

    Trending

    Latest Education News