Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Apr 2: In a strong show of operational growth, the Mumbai Port Authority achieved its highest-ever cargo throughput of 75.15 million metric tonnes (MMT) in 2025–26, marking a 9.5% increase over the previous year despite ongoing global trade challenges.
The port also reinforced its position as a leading cruise hub in Mumbai, handling 95 cruise ship calls and welcoming more than 2.5 lakh passengers. In the shipbuilding and repair segment, it serviced 87 vessels and had 23 ships under construction, while continuing to push forward plans for a new greenfield shipbuilding cluster in Maharashtra.
Growth was seen across cargo categories. Liquid bulk remained the dominant segment, rising 9.8% to 46.83 MMT, while dry bulk recorded an even sharper increase of 14.7% to 22.77 MMT. Break bulk maintained a stable share, with the overall cargo mix comprising 63% liquid bulk, 30% dry bulk, and 7% break bulk.
Maritime activity also picked up significantly, with the port handling 1,850 vessels, including 1,515 cargo ships. Improvements in logistics efficiency, faster cargo handling, and the growth of cruise operations contributed to enhanced trade activity, job creation, and more cost-effective transportation.
The port retained a strong foothold in coastal shipping, maintaining a 30% share with 21.9 MMT of cargo, underlining its importance in domestic logistics. A standout development was the sharp 141% rise in fertiliser and fertiliser raw material imports, providing crucial support to the agriculture sector.
Additionally, the port handled over 80,000 vehicles, including high-end and electric models, and expanded its role in managing project cargo such as heavy engineering equipment.
Rail connectivity improvements played a key role in boosting efficiency, with rail-handled cargo more than doubling to 5.26 lakh metric tonnes, enabling smoother and more sustainable cargo movement. Operational performance also improved, with average vessel turnaround time reduced to 64.05 hours and berth productivity increasing to 11,365 metric tonnes per berth per day.
With continued infrastructure upgrades and support from national logistics initiatives, the Mumbai Port Authority has set an ambitious target of reaching 80 MMT cargo throughput by FY27, signaling sustained momentum in India’s maritime trade sector.