Improved efficiency and infrastructure upgrades drive faster cargo movement across major ports.

India’s Major Ports Reduce Vessel Turnaround Time to 48.84 Hours in FY26.

India’s major ports have significantly improved operational efficiency by reducing the average vessel turnaround time from 52.87 hours in FY2021-22 to 48.84 hours in FY2025-26, marking a 7.6% improvement, the government informed Parliament. Vessel turnaround time measures the total duration a ship spends at a port, from arrival to departure after completing cargo operations, and is a key indicator of port performance. The improvement comes alongside record cargo handling of 915.17 million tonnes at India’s major state-owned ports during FY2025-26. The government attributed the gains to sustained investments in infrastructure modernisation, increased mechanisation, digital integration, and streamlined port operations. Over the past decade, average turnaround time has fallen dramatically from 96 hours in 2014 to the current level, reflecting continuous improvements in logistics efficiency. Faster vessel movement is expected to reduce shipping costs, enhance trade competitiveness, improve supply chain reliability, and strengthen India’s position as a global maritime and logistics hub.