Kolkata Port reports 45% growth in cargo handling in April

Kolkata Port or Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP) has reported a record 45.32 percent year-on-year growth in cargo handling in April 2025, shipping 5.967 million metric tonnes (MMT) compared to 4.106 MMT in April 2024. “This achievement positions SMP Kolkata as the fastest-growing major port in India for the month,” SMP chairman Rathendra Raman announced.

According to dockwise performance: Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) handled 4.363 MMT in April 2025, up from 2.993 MMT in April 2024, marking a 45.77 pc increase and Kolkata Dock System (KDS) managed 1.604 MMT, compared to 1.113 MMT in April 2024, reflecting a 44.12 pc growth.

The surge in cargo handling was driven by significant growth across various commodities in this riverine port, the oldest in the country. In April 2025, SMP Kolkata handled a total of 75,716 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), comprising 62,021 TEUs at KDS and 13,695 TEUs at HDC. This represents a 31.18 pc increase from 57,717 TEUs in April 2024 (KDS: 48,495; HDC: 9,222).

The HDC registered growth in respect of Petroleum Oil and Lubricants (POL) Product, LPG, Other Liquid, Vegetable Oil, Coking Coal, Thermal Coal, Other Coal, Metallurgical Coke, Raw Petroleum Coke, Manganese Ore, Other Ore, Fly Ash, Pulse, Container Tons and TEUs etc. while KDS registered growth in respect of Finished Fertilizer, Coking Coal, Other Coal, Pulses, Metallurgical Coke, Foodgrain, Container Tons and TEUs etc. during April’ 2025 vis-à-vis April’ 2024. “This milestone underscores SMP Kolkata’s pivotal role in Eastern India’s maritime logistics and its growing significance in the national maritime industry,” the chairman said.