Which is the Largest Commercial Port of India? Know the Name

India, with its vast coastline of more than 7,500 kilometers, is home to several important ports that play a crucial role in trade and commerce. These ports handle exports, imports, and cargo movement, linking India with global markets. Among them, one port stands out as the busiest and largest hub for commercial activities, making it vital for the country’s economic growth.

Largest Commercial Port in India

The Mundra Port, located in Kutch district of Gujarat, is the biggest commercial port in India. It lies on the northern coast of the Gulf of Kutch and has become one of the country’s most important gateways for business and trade.

It is a deep-water, all-weather port, which means it can handle large ships throughout the year without being affected by seasonal changes. This makes it highly reliable for global trade.

Why is Mundra Port Important?

Mundra Port is often called an infrastructure marvel because of its advanced facilities. It is also India’s largest private port and container-handling port. Interestingly, Mundra is also a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which increases its role in trade and logistics.

Nearly one-third of India’s container traffic passes through this port, showing its central role in India’s maritime economy.

Key Features of Mundra Port

• Managed by APSEZ: Mundra Port is operated by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ), India’s largest private port operator. APSEZ handles about 25% of India’s total cargo movement.
• Massive Capacity: The port has a total handling capacity of 260 million metric tonnes (MMT). In 2022–23, it managed over 155 MMT of cargo, which is about 11% of India’s seaborne trade.
• Infrastructure: It has 26 berths and two single-point moorings, making it capable of handling many types of cargo.
• Cargo Variety: Mundra handles containers, dry bulk, liquid cargo, break-bulk, coal, LNG, and even automobiles. It also has India’s largest coal import terminal.
• Connectivity: The port is linked to the national railway network, allowing smooth transport of goods to almost every part of India.

Facilities and Capabilities of Mundra Port

Mundra Port has been designed with world-class facilities that allow it to handle the largest ships in the world, such as:

• Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs)
• Cape-size bulk carriers
• The world’s biggest container ships
• LNG carriers
• Automobile carriers

Its deep draft and round-the-year operations ensure that it never shuts down due to weather, making it one of the most reliable ports in global trade.