DPA Kandla Breaks Record: 100 MMT in Record Time
Newzdaddy Business Updates
Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla (DPA Kandla) has marked a major milestone by becoming the fastest “major port” in India to cross 100 million tonnes of cargo in the financial year 2025–26. This record comes ahead of previous years, underscoring a sharp rise in cargo flow and operational speed. This achievement reflects a strong 6.78% rise in cargo handling compared with the previous year. Growth has been broad, fertilisers surged by about 81%, iron and steel by 50%, container cargo by roughly 61%, POL (petroleum, oil and lubricants) by nearly 35%, and wooden logs by more than 22%.
These rises show that DPA is not just dealing with one kind of cargo, but handling dry bulk, liquid cargo, containers and break-bulk, all efficiently. Behind this success is steady growth over the years. The port has handled more than 137 million tonnes in 2022–23, marking its strongest year then. DPA, originally named Kandla Port, is located on India’s west coast in the Gulf of Kutch, Gujarat. The port began in the 1950s, after India’s independence, to serve western India’s maritime trade needs. Over the decades, it has grown steadily to become the busiest major port of India in terms of cargo volume.
Part of the success comes from upgrades in infrastructure, better berth productivity, improved storage yards and faster cargo evacuation systems. The port authority says smooth coordination across departments, marine, traffic, mechanical, civil, finance and administration- helped maintain round-the-clock operations.
Also, in recent years, the port has demonstrated startling single-day and vessel-handling records. For example, in early 2025, it cleared over 700,000 tonnes in a single day, a national-level performance benchmark. This port-level performance helps support national goals. The early crossing of 100 MMT supports the country’s ambition of world-class port-led infrastructure, better trade logistics, and stronger export-import flows.
It also boosts the ease of doing business. With quicker cargo movement, smoother hinterland connectivity and better capacity, traders, importers and exporters benefit from faster turnaround and reliability. The port’s success comes at a critical time, when India’s state-owned major ports collectively are seeing growth. Government data shows cargo at state-owned ports rose 4.4% in 2024–25.
Despite growing competition from other ports, for example, Paradip Port Authority (PPA) recently recorded 145.38 MMT cargo throughput in FY 2023–24 to briefly overtake DPA in total annual cargo handled. DPA Kandla’s consistent performance and fast handling make it stand out. DPA’s leadership has publicly thanked the many hands involved: port workers, officers, marine crew, stevedores, vessel agents, trade partners, customs and users. Their continuous efforts, across shifts, helped make this achievement possible.
The port authority also says that this milestone fits into the larger ambition under the national long-term growth vision (for ports and trade infrastructure). With further planned capacity upgrades, digitalisation and possible green/renewable measures, DPA aims to rise even further. But it is also important to note that in recent history, the port had already touched 100 MMT in earlier years like 2016 and 2022–23 . That shows that the new record is not just about crossing 100 MMT, it is about doing so faster in the financial year 2025–26. All this suggests that DPA Kandla is evolving into a modern, high-efficiency gateway, not just for Gujarat or western India, but for the whole trade ecosystem of the country.
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