India’s major ports have recorded a significant improvement in operational efficiency, with the average turnaround time of ships declining from 52.87 hours in 2021–22 to 48.84 hours in 2025–26, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal informed the Lok Sabha.
The improvement reflects the government’s continued focus on modernising port infrastructure, mechanisation, digitalisation and streamlining cargo-handling processes to enhance India’s maritime competitiveness.
A key achievement has also come from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), which secured the 22nd position in the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) 2025. JNPA’s ranking places it alongside some of the world’s leading container ports, with Singapore ranked 21st and Shanghai 23rd.
The performance highlights the growing efficiency of Indian ports and their increasing ability to compete with established global maritime hubs.
According to the government, initiatives including infrastructure upgrades, mechanisation and the implementation of the One Nation One Port Process (ONOP) have helped simplify port operations, reduce vessel turnaround time and improve overall productivity.
The continued improvement in port performance is expected to support faster cargo movement, reduce logistics costs and strengthen the efficiency of India’s supply chains.
With India positioning its ports as key enablers of international trade, the gains in turnaround time and global port rankings underline the country’s progress towards building a more efficient, competitive and globally integrated maritime logistics ecosystem.