Muted growth forecast for ports sector in FY26; container cargo to lead

India’s ports sector is projected to see subdued growth in FY26, with overall cargo traffic expected to rise by just around 2% year-on-year, according to CareEdge Ratings. Container volumes, however, are likely to buck the trend with an estimated growth of nearly 8%.

Major ports continue to account for about 57% of total cargo throughput. Higher container handling capacity, a steady shift toward containerisation, and rising coastal movement of coal and iron ore are seen as the main factors supporting growth prospects in the medium term.

“India’s infrastructure sector is at an inflection point, driven by proactive government policies, rapid urbanisation, and increased private investment,” said Sachin Gupta, Chief Rating Officer and Executive Director, CareEdge Ratings. “While traditional sectors such as roads, power, and airports remain core growth engines, the next wave will be led by energy storage, data centres, and green hydrogen. Overcoming regulatory and execution challenges will be key to sustaining this momentum.”

Between FY23 and FY25, overall port traffic grew by around 5%, with container cargo standing out as the fastest-growing segment against the muted trend.