India’s port sector is undergoing a structural shift, with container volumes emerging as the primary growth engine while traditional bulk commodities face diverging trajectories.
A new research report indicates that container traffic is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 7-9% over the coming years, significantly outpacing other cargo categories.
Meanwhile, iron ore traffic is forecast to recover, posting a 5-7% CAGR between FY26 and FY28, supported by increased coastal movement and domestic industrial demand.
This resilience comes even as major ports continue to outperform non-major facilities, consolidating their role in the nation’s trade infrastructure.
The growth in containerized trade stands in stark contrast to the outlook for coal, which is expected to see a compounding decline of 2-4%.
This contraction is driven by rising domestic production and an accelerating transition toward renewable energy sources, reducing reliance on imported thermal coal.
Meanwhile, iron ore traffic is forecast to recover, posting a 5-7% CAGR between FY26 and FY28, supported by increased coastal movement and domestic industrial demand.