
Gujarat's coastline is home to numerous ports and harbours that play a crucial role in the state's economy. The state has a total of 24 major ports and harbours.
The largest port in Gujarat is the Kandla Port, located in Kandla, which is one of the largest ports in India. It is a major hub for the export of goods like petroleum products, fertilizers, and cement.
Some of the other notable ports in Gujarat include the Mundra Port, the Pipavav Port, and the Dahej Port, each with its own unique characteristics and cargo handling capabilities.
Ports and Harbours
Gujarat has a long coastline along the Arabian Sea, which is home to numerous ports and harbours. These ports play a crucial role in the state's economy, facilitating the import and export of goods.
The largest port in Gujarat is Deendayal Port Trust, which is located in Kandla and has been operational since 1965. It is owned and operated by the Government of India and handled a cargo of 137.0 million tonnes in the fiscal year 2022-23.

Some of the notable ports in Gujarat include Dahej Port, Hazira Port, and Mundra Port, which are all operated by the Adani Group. These ports have seen significant growth in cargo handling and container traffic in recent years.
Here's a list of some of the major ports in Gujarat, along with their cargo handling capacity and container traffic:
These ports have been instrumental in the growth of Gujarat's economy and have played a significant role in the state's development.
List of Ports and Harbours in Gujarat
Gujarat, a state in western India, has a long coastline with numerous ports and harbours that play a vital role in the country's maritime trade. Gujarat has a total of 24 operational ports and harbours.
Dahej Port, established in 2010, is one of the newer ports in Gujarat, located in Bharuch district. It is owned and operated by the Adani Group.
Deendayal Port Trust, located in Kandla, Kutch district, is one of the oldest ports in Gujarat, established in 1965. It is owned and operated by the Government of India.
The state's ports and harbours handle a significant volume of cargo, with Deendayal Port Trust being the largest, handling 137 million tonnes of cargo in FY2022-23.
Here is a list of some of the major ports and harbours in Gujarat:
The state's ports and harbours also handle a significant volume of container traffic, with Port Pipavav being one of the busiest, handling 764 thousand TEUs in FY2022-23.
Adani Group owns and operates three ports in Gujarat, including Dahej Port, Hazira Port, and Mundra Port.
Mundra Port
Mundra Port is one of the largest and busiest ports in India, located in Gujarat.
It has made remarkable strides in recent years, establishing itself as a key player in the country's shipping industry. This is evident from its significant increase in container traffic, from 2.7 million TEUs in 2014-2015 to approximately 7.4 million TEUs in 2023.
The port's capacity expansion has contributed to its growing importance in global trade. Mundra Port handled an impressive 17.6 million metric tons of cargo in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024-2025, setting a record for any Indian port in that period.
Other Major Ports
The Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands is one of the busiest ports in the world, handling over 460 million tons of cargo in 2020.
It's located at the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta, where three major European rivers meet, making it a crucial hub for international trade.
The Port of Singapore is another major player, with a container throughput of over 36 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2020.
It's a vital gateway for trade between East and West, with a strategic location at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula.
The Port of Shanghai is the world's busiest container port, handling over 43 million TEUs in 2020.
It's a key driver of China's economic growth, with a massive cargo throughput that's over 10% of the country's total trade volume.
The Port of Busan in South Korea is a significant player in the region, with a container throughput of over 21 million TEUs in 2020.
It's a major hub for trade between Asia and the rest of the world, with a strategic location on the southeastern coast of the Korean Peninsula.
Infrastructure
Mundra Port boasts an impressive infrastructure, capable of handling the largest bulk carriers in the world. It has deep draft berths and multipurpose terminals that efficiently handle cargo.
The port has covered and open storage areas with enormous capacity, supporting smooth cargo movement. These areas are designed to store large volumes of cargo, with the covered godown capable of storing over 7 LMT of cargoes.
The port's evacuation infrastructure is also noteworthy, with cargo able to be received and evacuated by road, rail, air, conveyors, and pipelines. This ensures seamless cargo movement in and out of the port.
Mundra Port has 4/6-lane road connectivity, allowing for easy movement of cargo to and from the port. The port can handle 80 rakes per day for inbound and outbound cargo, with separate sidings provided for Agri, Fertilizer, Coal cargo, and Liquid cargo.
Here are some of the key features of Mundra Port's infrastructure:
- Master Layout
- Back-up infrastructure
- Evacuation Infrastructure
- Marine Infrastructure
- Port Connectivity
- Terminal Handling Infrastructure
The port's liquid terminal has a tank-farm with 100 tanks capable of storing 4,63,000 KL of products. The entire tank farm is equipped with an automatic radar gauging system for accurate and real-time monitoring.
GMB Group
The GMB Group is a significant player in the ports and harbours of Gujarat. They operate the Gujarat Maritime Board, which oversees the development and management of the state's ports.
The GMB Group's main objective is to make Gujarat a major port-based economy. They aim to achieve this by enhancing the efficiency and capacity of the ports.
The GMB Group has been instrumental in the development of the Hazira Port, which is a major coal handling port in the state. The port has a capacity to handle 15 million tonnes of cargo per year.
The GMB Group also manages the Dahej Port, which is a major port for the export of chemicals and petrochemicals. The port has a capacity to handle 12 million tonnes of cargo per year.
The GMB Group is also involved in the development of the Pipavav Port, which is a major port for the export of iron ore and other minerals. The port has a capacity to handle 10 million tonnes of cargo per year.
The GMB Group's efforts have helped to increase the state's port capacity and enhance its economic growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 12 major ports in India?
India has 12 major ports, with 6 located on the west coast and 6 on the east coast, including Ennore which is a registered public company with significant government ownership. The major ports include Mumbai, Kandla, Mangalore, JNPT, Mormugao, Cochin, Chennai, Tuticorin, Visakhapatnam, Paradip, Kolkata, and Ennore.
What is the biggest port in Gujarat?
Mundra Port is the largest port in Gujarat, serving as India's first private port and a major commercial hub. Located on the Gulf of Kutch, it's a significant maritime gateway for the region.
Which is the oldest port in Gujarat?
Lothal is considered the oldest port in Gujarat, dating back to the ancient Indus Valley Civilization. It was connected to the Sabarmati River via a dock, a significant trade route.
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