New Mangalore Port handled 46.01 million tonnes (mt) of cargo in 2024-25.
Terming this an all-time record in cargo handling, New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) said in a media statement on Tuesday that the previous best was 45.7 mt in 2023-24.
The port reported a provisional profit after tax of ₹600 crore for 2024-25, registering a year-on-year growth of 5.2 per cent, and an operating ratio of 34.87 per cent.
This achievement comes despite facing several challenges – delays in post-monsoon dredging due to priority docking of aircraft carrier at Cochin Shipyard, global shipping delays from the Red Sea crisis, reduced containerized cashew imports following crop failure in West Africa, and weak steel demand affecting iron ore exports, it said.
AV Ramana, Chairman of NMPA, said: “Despite various macroeconomic and operational adversities, including the delays in the four-laning of NH-75, the port took proactive measures to diversify its cargo focus, offered multiple targeted commercial and operational inducements, and undertook focused trade engagement efforts to attract additional volumes. The projects inaugurated by Prime Minister in 2022-23 were operationalised during the year and contributed to the overall throughput.”
NMPA implemented several operational upgrades such as fixed-window berthing, integrated yard management, automated weighbridges, and dynamic storage solutions. To support long-term growth, NMPA is undertaking key infrastructure projects, including a new deep-draft general cargo berth, phase II mechanisation of the container terminal, and refurbishment of POL berth no. 9.
These align with the port’s ‘Vision 2047 Master Plan’, which aims to position NMPA as a 100-plus mt port and boost Karnataka’s economic growth, the statement said.