MUMBAI: Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) in Maharashtra has emerged as India’s highest revenue-generating major port in FY26, despite ranking third by cargo volumes, overtaking larger cargo handlers such as Deendayal Port Authority (Kandla) and Paradip Port Authority on the earnings front.
The port at Nhava Sheva earned ₹4,356 crore in FY26, accounting for 16.4 per cent of the combined revenue generated by the country’s 12 major ports, according to government data tabled in the Parliament during the ongoing monsoon session. Deendayal Port Authority, which reclaimed the country’s top position in cargo handling by moving a record 160.11 million tonnes during FY26, ranked second in revenue with ₹3,437 crore, while Mumbai Port Authority followed with ₹3,319 crore. Together, the three ports contributed nearly 42 percent of the ₹26,583 crore revenue earned by India’s major ports during the year.
The differing rankings underscore that cargo volumes alone do not determine a port’s financial performance. Revenue is influenced by a combination of cargo mix, vessel traffic, terminal utilisation, value-added services and commercial operations. JNPA, which handled a record 102 million tonnes of cargo and more than 8 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in FY26, benefited from higher cargo throughput, expanded terminal capacity and technology-led operational improvements, helping it emerge as the country’s top revenue-generating port.
“Our record financial performance in FY26 reflects sustained operational excellence, capacity expansion and prudent financial management. Crossing 102 million tonnes of cargo and handling over 8 million TEUs demonstrates the growing confidence of global shipping lines and the trade in JNPA’s infrastructure and service standards. The growth in revenue has been driven by higher cargo throughput, increased vessel traffic, expanded terminal capacity and technology-led operational improvements. Going forward, JNPA will continue to invest in world-class infrastructure, digital transformation and sustainable growth initiatives to strengthen India’s maritime competitiveness,” Mr. Gaurav Dayal, Chairperson, JNPA, told the businessline.
India’s 12 major ports reported a seven percent increase in combined revenue in FY26, with earnings rising to ₹26,583 crore from ₹24,848 crore in FY25. Mumbai Port Authority recorded the strongest year-on-year growth among major ports, with revenue increasing 17.2 percent, followed by JNPA (11.2%), Kamarajar Port Ltd (9.6%), Deendayal Port Authority (9.4%) and Mormugao Port Authority (7.9%). Only two ports bucked the trend, with Chennai Port Authority reporting a 2.3 percent decline in revenue and Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Authority posting a 1.4 percent fall during the year.
During the past five years, the combined revenue of these 12 major ports rose more than 50 percent from ₹17,671 crore in FY22 to ₹26,583 crore in FY26. Among the fastest-growing major ports, VO Chidambaranar Port Authority led the pack, with revenue surging nearly 92 percent between FY22 and FY26. Mumbai Port Authority followed with growth of around 68 percent, while JNPA (62.5%), Visakhapatnam Port Authority (60.6%) and Deendayal Port Authority (60.6%) also recorded revenue growth of more than 60 percent during the period.
Source: Business Line
