India has designated Deendayal, Jawaharlal Nehru, Paradip and Mundra as the country’s first mega ports under the Indian Ports Act 2025. The new classification covers three of India’s existing major ports — Deendayal, JNPA and Paradip — as well as Adani Ports-operated Mundra, which is legally classified as a port other than a major port. Mega port status does not alter those underlying classifications or the legislation governing the individual ports. The government introduced the new category in July, setting qualifying thresholds of 150m tonnes of annual cargo throughput for bulk ports or 7.5m teu for container ports, with ports handling both bulk and containerised cargo able to have their container volumes converted into tonnage under the methodology used by the respective port.
The notification, issued on September 25, 2026 by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways under Section 73 of the Indian Ports Act, took effect from the date of its publication in the Gazette of India. Mundra Port, operated by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, is the only privately owned facility among the four, standing alongside three government-run ports that have long formed the backbone of India’s maritime trade. Once designated, mega port status remains in place for five years even if throughput subsequently falls below the qualifying threshold, after which the classification is reviewed. Paradip’s inclusion is notable as the only mega port on India’s east coast, following a series of record-breaking operational achievements at the port in recent months, including record Capesize vessel berthing and its 18.5-metre deep-draft capability.
Source: Splash247 — https://splash247.com/india-designates-four-ports-as-first-mega-ports/
Tags: India, Ports & Logistics, Mundra, Adani Ports
