A new independent study by Oxford Economics has highlighted the growing economic and social impact of the Mundra International Container Terminal (MICT), operated by DP World at Mundra Port.
Commissioned in 2003 as India’s first greenfield container terminal within a non-major port, MICT has evolved into one of the country’s key gateways for containerised trade. The terminal has handled more than 19 million containers since inception, including 1.4 million TEU in 2024 alone, connecting industrial and consumption hubs across western and northern India.
Today, MICT links India with 73 global ports and accommodates ultra-large container vessels of up to 19,200 TEU. Supported by multimodal rail connectivity across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Delhi, the terminal has significantly strengthened supply chain efficiency and export competitiveness for Indian businesses.
According to the Oxford Economics study, MICT contributed approximately $128.9 million to India’s GDP in 2024, including $118.8 million within Gujarat. The terminal also supported nearly 1,880 jobs nationwide, including 1,240 jobs in Gujarat, while stimulating economic activity across logistics, transportation, manufacturing, retail and service sectors.
The report further projects that enhanced shipping connectivity through MICT could generate an additional $6.4 billion in exports and contribute $9.2 billion to GDP by 2035.
The study also highlighted the terminal’s role in building a more inclusive workforce. Nearly one in four jobs associated with the terminal are held by women, while around 10% of employees are under the age of 25, reflecting growing opportunities for youth in the logistics and maritime sector.
Hemant Kumar Ruia, Country Manager, DP World Subcontinent (India), said that infrastructure built for scale, efficiency and connectivity becomes a powerful driver of both economic growth and social progress. He added that DP World Mundra is enabling faster and more reliable trade while creating better jobs, building skills and expanding opportunities for businesses and communities.
Beyond trade facilitation, the report noted DP World’s continued investment in community development around Mundra through education, healthcare and scholarship initiatives. Under the ‘Kal Ki Kaksha’ digital learning programme implemented with Pratham Infotech Foundation, 3,643 students across 17 schools benefited from digital education support in 2024. The Pragati Scholarship Programme, run in partnership with Yuva Unstoppable, currently supports 237 girls to continue their education.
In healthcare, two mobile medical vans operated in collaboration with Wockhardt Foundation provide free medical services to nearly 20,000 people annually, focusing on early diagnosis, treatment and health awareness.
The report also featured a case study on Aten Papers and Foam Limited, which has benefited from improved port and inland connectivity through Mundra to source recyclable wastepaper from global markets more efficiently, supporting growth in India’s recycling and paper manufacturing sector.
The findings form part of “The DP World Effect”, a global research programme examining how trade infrastructure drives economic growth, employment and community development across DP World’s operations in more than 80 countries.
