India’s Largest Container Port: Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva)

1. Introduction

Nestled on the eastern shores of the Arabian Sea in Navi Mumbai, Jawaharlal Nehru Port—commonly known as Nhava Sheva—stands tall as the largest container port in India, handling more than 50% of the nation’s containerized cargo. Often described as India’s gateway to the world, its strategic location, modern infrastructure, and continuous capacity upgrades make it a cornerstone of Indian maritime trade.

2. A Legacy of Growth

• Commissioned in 1989, Nhava Sheva was built to relieve the congestion at Mumbai Port. Today, it operates five major container terminals—NSFT, NSICT, NSIGT, BMCT, and APMT .In FY 2023–24, JNPT handled approximately 7.05 million TEUs, marking over 90% utilization and an encouraging annual growth of around 11% y‑o‑y

3. Infrastructure & Logistics

• Spread across 2,700 hectares, the port is equipped with world-class gantry cranes, automated handling systems, and seamless integration with rail and road networks.

• It offers extensive services—from container loading/unloading and customs clearance to warehousing, bunkering, and ship maintenance—supporting both importers and exporters.

4. Standing Among Global Ports

• With a container throughput of approximately 6.35 million TEUs in 2023, Nhava Sheva ranks among the top 40 container ports globally, standing shoulder to shoulder with major international hubs.It outpaces all other Indian major ports in container traffic and sits second in overall cargo tonnage, trailing only the colossal Mundra Port

5. JNPT vs. Mundra: A Tale of Two Titans

• Mundra Port, India’s largest container port by ownership and cargo volume, is a private project that handles ~155 MMT per year and about 33% of the country’s container cargo

• Comparatively, Nhava Sheva shines as a government-operated hub essential to western India’s supply chain, especially for the Mumbai metropolitan region.

6. Expansion & Future Plans

• The Bharat Mumbai Container Terminal Phase II, commissioned in January 2025, added 2.4 million TEU capacity

• Upcoming modernization efforts include upgrades at Nhava Sheva Freeport and steady investments in digital systems, crane automation, and terminal software

• Long-range ambitions aim to elevate JNPT into India’s top global port, with estimates of $8 billion in planned investments from earlier expansion blueprints

7. Why JNPT Matters to India

• Acts as a critical trade conduit, connecting India to over 200 global ports.

• Supports a diverse range of industries—automotive, pharmaceuticals, machinery, electronics, textiles, and chemicals

• Serves as a major hub for Central and Western India, facilitating trade for regions like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka .

8. Future in Perspective: Vadhavan and Beyond

• The upcoming Vadhavan Port aims to eclipse Nhava Sheva in scale, targeting placement among the world’s top container ports. It will likely surpass current capacities of over 4.8 million TEU.

• Meanwhile, Vizhinjam International Seaport on Kerala’s coast is gearing up to handle 5 million containers by 2028.

✍️ Conclusion

Jawaharlal Nehru Port remains the beating heart of India’s maritime container trade, serving as a lynchpin for national commerce. With its enviable infrastructure, dominant market share, and dynamic expansion trajectory, JNPT is well-positioned not only to retain its leadership in India but also to strengthen its place among the world’s premier container ports.