Kolkata Port reports 45 pc growth in cargo handling in April, highest among all major ports of India

By Admin

05 May, 2025

The Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP), commonly known as Kolkata Port, has achieved a landmark milestone in India’s maritime sector by registering a remarkable 45.32% year-on-year growth in cargo handling during April 2025. With 5.967 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo shipped, up from 4.106 MMT in April 2024, the port has emerged as the fastest-growing major port in India for the month.

Record-Breaking Performance

“This outstanding performance is a testament to the unwavering commitment and efficiency of the entire SMP family,” said SMP Chairman Rathendra Raman, while addressing the media on Sunday. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India, for their consistent support and visionary leadership.

Chairman Raman also extended his appreciation to the port’s stakeholders, users, and dedicated workforce, stating that their relentless efforts have been the backbone of this growth story.

Stellar Growth at HDC and KDS

The Dockwise performance details further showcase this achievement. The Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) handled 4.363 MMT in April 2025, up from 2.993 MMT in April 2024—a surge of 45.77%. Meanwhile, the Kolkata Dock System (KDS) reported handling 1.604 MMT, rising from 1.113 MMT a year ago—a 44.12% increase.

This growth has been driven by increased handling of various commodities across both docks. HDC saw a notable rise in Petroleum Oil and Lubricants (POL) Products, LPG, Vegetable Oil, Coking Coal, Fly Ash, Raw Petroleum Coke, and Manganese Ore, among others. KDS witnessed growth in Finished Fertilizer, Foodgrains, Pulses, and Metallurgical Coke, contributing to the overall performance.

Container Traffic Growth

In addition to cargo tonnage, container traffic also saw a robust uptick. SMP Kolkata handled 75,716 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in April 2025—up 31.18% from 57,717 TEUs in April 2024. Of this, 62,021 TEUs were managed at KDS and 13,695 TEUs at HDC, compared to 48,495 TEUs and 9,222 TEUs respectively in the previous year.

A Pivotal Role in Maritime Logistics

Being the oldest operational port in the country and a key riverine port in Eastern India, this performance reinforces SMP Kolkata’s strategic importance in the national maritime infrastructure. Chairman Raman emphasized that “this milestone underscores SMP Kolkata’s pivotal role in Eastern India’s maritime logistics and its growing significance in the national maritime industry.”

Advancing Towards 24x7 Operations

The port has also achieved a significant operational milestone by implementing night-time navigation facilities, enabling 24x7 maneuvering of shipping traffic. This advancement positions SMP Kolkata as a forward-looking port embracing continuous improvement and modernization.

With this extraordinary April performance, SMP Kolkata sets a new benchmark for Indian ports, showcasing its potential to lead the way in efficiency, growth, and innovation in the shipping and logistics sector.