Deendayal Port Authority crosses historic 70 MMT cargo handling milestone; becomes fastest Major Port to hit target

Historic Milestone at Kandla

Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Kandla, has crossed the 70 million metric tonnes (MMT) cargo-handling mark for the financial year 2026-27, achieving a total of 70.03 MMT on August 22, 2026. The milestone makes DPA the fastest among all Major Ports in India to reach this figure, according to reports from ANI, The Hindu Business Line, and The Tribune.

Official data cited by these outlets indicates that the port achieved the target 32 days ahead of the timeline recorded in the previous financial year. The reports also note a year-on-year growth of 23.02% compared to the same period last year, though The Tribune puts the figure at 23.04%.

Record-Breaking Single-Day Handling

Prior to this milestone, DPA had already set new records for single-day cargo handling. On July 27, the port handled 7,83,816 metric tonnes (MTs) in a single day, surpassing its own national record of 7,78,570 MTs set on June 17, as reported by The Hindu Business Line and The Tribune. These figures are described as unprecedented in an official release.

The Offshore Oil Terminal at Vadinar also established a new 24-hour benchmark, handling 5,09,101 MTs of liquid cargo, exceeding its previous record of 5,07,397 MTs, according to the same sources. The breakdown of the June 17 record included 2,55,557 MTs of crude oil, 40,534 MTs of POL, and 2,13,010 MTs of LPO.

Chairman's Acknowledgment

Sushil Kumar Singh, Chairman of DPA, congratulated all stakeholders, including port users, exporters, importers, shipping lines, vessel agents, stevedores, Customs House Agents, terminal operators, trade associations, truck drivers, DPA officials, employees, Shramiks, and every member of the port fraternity. In a statement reported by The Hindu Business Line and The Tribune, Singh attributed the achievement to the "unwavering dedication, teamwork, and operational excellence of Team DPA and all our stakeholders."

The reports highlight the port's increasing efficiency and its pivotal role in India's maritime trade, with the milestone reflecting broader operational gains at the facility.