The New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) achieved a remarkable milestone at the National Awards for Excellence in Ports & Shipping 2025, held at the Taj MG Road, Bengaluru. During the prestigious event, Dr. A. V. Ramana, Chairman of NMPA, received two of the evening’s most coveted awards: Major Port of the Year and CEO of the Year.
This recognition comes at a momentous time for NMPA, as it celebrates its Golden Jubilee year. The dual awards serve as a testament to the Port’s exceptional growth, technological innovations, and community contributions under the leadership of Dr. Ramana, who assumed charge as Chairman in June 2019.
Dr. Ramana, who holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and has over 30 years of experience in the Indian maritime sector, has successfully transformed NMPA into a beacon of efficiency, sustainability, and inclusivity. His leadership has driven numerous initiatives, including the digital transformation of port operations, deployment of electric vehicles, and the expansion of infrastructure to meet growing demands. At the same time, he has remained committed to community development, overseeing projects that have directly benefited thousands of local residents, such as the ₹197 crore Kulai Fishing Harbour and a 150-bed multi-specialty hospital.
Under his stewardship, NMPA has achieved record-breaking performance in FY 2024–25, handling a total of 46.01 million metric tons (MMT) of cargo. The port also reported an all-time high total income of ₹1,102.98 crore and a net surplus after tax of ₹420.57 crore, nearly double the figures from 2020–21. Operational efficiency has significantly improved, with key metrics reflecting a reduction in pre-berthing delays, quicker vessel turnaround times, and a marked increase in container traffic.
During the awards ceremony, Dr. Ramana expressed his pride and gratitude, attributing the Port’s success to the collective effort of the entire port fraternity, employees, stevedores, and public-private partnership (PPP) operators. He dedicated the awards to their hard work and unwavering commitment.
The National Awards for Excellence in Ports & Shipping, organized by the World HRD Congress & Transformance Forums, are among India’s most esteemed accolades for performance, innovation, and leadership in the maritime sector. The recognition of NMPA as Major Port of the Year and Dr. Ramana as CEO of the Year not only celebrates their success but also reinforces NMPA’s commitment to “Port-led Prosperity” for the nation.
As NMPA enters its 50th year, these awards reflect its ongoing journey towards excellence and leadership in the Indian maritime industry.
