DBT Bureau
Pune, 18 July 2025
Mumbai Port has recorded a drop in cargo traffic in the current financial year 2025–26 (up to May), handling just 11.785 million tonnes, compared to 68.625 million tonnes during the full fiscal year 2023–24. This dip reflects a sluggish start to the year amid shifting trade dynamics and seasonal factors.
Overall Cargo Movement Slows Down
| Financial Year | Total Cargo (Million Tonnes) |
| 2021–22 | 59.891 |
| 2022–23 | 63.608 |
| 2023–24 | 67.261 |
| 2024–25 | 68.625 |
| 2025–26* | 11.785 |
*Note: FY26 data is up to May 2025 only.
Crude Oil and POL Products Lead Cargo Volumes
Crude oil continues to be the largest single commodity handled at Mumbai Port. In FY24, crude oil (including pipelines) contributed 28.002 million tonnes. As of May 2025, this figure stands at 4.975 million tonnes, signaling a potential slowdown.
Likewise, POL (Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants) products, including pipeline cargo, accounted for 11.718 million tonnes in FY24, but have only reached 1.924 million tonnes in the current fiscal.
Key Commodity-Wise Performance (in ‘000 tonnes)
| Commodity | FY24 Total | FY26 (Up to May) |
| Crude Oil | 23,418 | 4,324 |
| Crude Oil – Pipeline | 5,584 | 651 |
| POL Products | 9,899 | 1,653 |
| POL – Pipeline | 1,819 | 271 |
| Iron & Steel | 4,844 | 514 |
| Coal (TPC) | 1,953 | 405 |
| Motor Vehicles | 194 | 29 |
| Stream Cargo (Anchorage) | 16,794 | 3,165 |
| Bulk Chemicals | 1,937 | 429 |
| Fertilisers | 479 | 73 |
Commodities with Minimal or No Traffic
– Veg Oil, Molasses, and Pulses registered negligible movement.
– Sugar exports fell to zero in FY26 (up to May), following a marginal 10,000 tonnes in FY24.
– Containerised cargo declined drastically from 6,000 tonnes to just 4,000 tonnes.
– Project cargo, calcite chips, and cement also saw minimal handling.
While Mumbai Port has shown consistent growth over recent years, the first two months of FY26 indicate a concerning slowdown in cargo movement. Industry watchers attribute this to global trade fluctuations, changing import-export patterns, and potential logistical disruptions.
Crude oil, POL products, and stream cargo continue to anchor the port’s operations, but diversifying cargo handling and boosting throughput may be key to sustaining growth in the coming months.
Source: Mumbai Port Authority
