FICCI-Kearney Report: Logistics and Shipping Services to Drive India's Maritime Growth

A new FICCI-Kearney report highlights the importance of logistics, shipping services and inland connectivity in strengthening India's ports and achieving its maritime growth ambitions.

Logistics and Shipping Services to Drive India's Maritime Growth: FICCI-Kearney Report

India's maritime sector is entering a new phase of development, with logistics connectivity, shipping services and industrial corridors expected to play an increasingly important role. According to a new report prepared jointly by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Kearney, improving connections between ports and domestic markets will be essential to strengthening India's position in global trade.

Titled India's Maritime Agenda for 2030: From Efficient Ports to Globally Connected Trade Gateways, the report highlights the progress made in port infrastructure while identifying connectivity and logistics coordination as important areas requiring further attention.

The report also recommends developing specialised strategies for different categories of ports to improve operational efficiency and international competitiveness.

India's Port Cargo Handling Capacity Records Significant Growth

India has recorded considerable expansion in cargo handling across its major and non-major ports over recent years.

According to the FICCI-Kearney report, total cargo handled increased by 38% between FY18 and FY26, rising from 1,209 million tonnes to 1,668 million tonnes.

During the same period, the combined cargo handling capacity of ports increased by 22%, reaching 2.8 billion tonnes per annum.

Port capacity utilisation also improved from 52% to 59%. However, the available capacity indicates that India's maritime infrastructure still has considerable potential to accommodate additional cargo volumes.

The report suggests that improving connectivity and logistics services will be important to making better use of this existing infrastructure.

Vessel Turnaround Time Improves at Major Indian Ports

Operational efficiency at India's major ports has also improved. The average vessel turnaround time declined by 18% during the period covered by the report, reaching approximately 49 hours.

A shorter turnaround time allows vessels to spend less time waiting or operating at ports, potentially improving shipping efficiency and reducing logistical delays.

India has also achieved recognition in international port performance rankings.

Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), Pipavav and Mundra have secured positions among the world's top 30 ports in the World Bank's Container Port Performance Index 2025.

These rankings reflect the progress made by Indian ports in improving their operational performance and competitiveness.

Private Sector Participation Expands in Port Operations

Private investment and participation have become important components of India's port development strategy. The Major Port Authorities Act, 2021, has supported greater private sector involvement in port operations and terminal management.

According to the report, privately operated terminals currently handle approximately two-thirds of the cargo managed at major ports. The government's target is to increase this share to 85% by 2030.

Greater private participation is expected to support infrastructure development, improve operational efficiency and encourage investment in modern port facilities.

Road and Rail Connectivity Remains a Major Challenge

Despite improvements in port infrastructure, the report identifies inland connectivity as an important area requiring further development.

A total of 294 road and rail projects were identified to strengthen connections between ports and their hinterland markets. However, only 84 projects had been completed by July 2026.

Another major development was the commissioning of the 1,506-kilometre Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), connecting Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority with Dadri in March 2026.

The freight corridor is expected to improve cargo transportation between the port and inland industrial and commercial centres.

The report recommends prioritising road and railway infrastructure projects according to actual cargo movement patterns rather than following a uniform approach.

Logistics Coordination Needed to Reduce Export Delays

The FICCI-Kearney report highlights the need to improve coordination across India's export logistics network. One important finding is that approximately 84% of the measured export time at four major seaports occurs after export approval.

This indicates that delays are not limited to customs or regulatory procedures. Transportation, cargo handling, warehousing and coordination between different logistics stakeholders also influence the overall export timeline.

Improving these processes could help reduce shipment delays and make Indian exports more competitive in international markets. The report therefore calls for better integration between ports, shipping services, inland transportation networks and industrial corridors.

Report Recommends Specialised Maritime Strategies by 2030

The report argues that India's maritime development strategy should account for the different requirements of individual port categories.

It recommends adopting differentiated development plans for four major areas:

• Container gateways: Strengthening infrastructure and connectivity to handle international container traffic efficiently.

• Transshipment hubs: Developing facilities and services to attract international shipping routes and cargo transfers.

• Industrial and energy gateways: Improving port infrastructure to support industrial supply chains and energy transportation.

• Specialised export corridors: Building dedicated logistics connections to support specific export industries and cargo requirements.

Such targeted planning could help ports improve their capabilities and serve different segments of international trade more effectively.

India's Maritime Agenda 2030: Focus on Global Competitiveness

India's maritime ambitions extend beyond increasing cargo handling capacity and developing new port infrastructure.

The FICCI-Kearney report emphasises that efficient shipping services, reliable inland transportation and stronger logistics networks will be essential to transforming Indian ports into globally connected trade gateways.

Improved coordination across the maritime ecosystem could reduce export delays, strengthen supply chains and support the country's long-term trade expansion.

Conclusion

The FICCI-Kearney report highlights that India's maritime growth will increasingly depend on efficient logistics, shipping services and stronger inland connectivity. While port infrastructure and cargo handling have expanded significantly, completing pending road and rail projects and improving export coordination remain important priorities. With specialised strategies for different port categories, India aims to strengthen its maritime competitiveness and develop globally connected trade gateways by 2030.