Haldia, India

Port Overview

Haldia Port, located in West Bengal at the confluence of the Hooghly and Haldi rivers, is India’s fourth largest port by cargo volume. Strategically positioned about 50 km southwest of Kolkata and 90 km upstream from the Bay of Bengal, it serves as a key gateway for the hinterland of eastern and northeastern India, as well as Nepal and Bhutan. The port plays a vital role in supporting regional industries and trade. Haldia handles over 100,000 TEUs annually, with a total cargo throughput exceeding 49 million metric tonnes.

Facilities & Infrastructure

Haldia Port features four main terminals: dry bulk, liquid bulk, container, and multi-purpose. Key facilities include 17 berths, extensive open and transit shed storage, and specialized berths for coal and petroleum products. The port is equipped with conveyors, unloading equipment, mobile and temporary hoppers, and various cranes for efficient cargo handling. While AGVs are not currently in use, Haldia supports modern mechanized operations for bulk and container cargo.

Container Terminals

Haldia’s container terminal has 2 dedicated berths (Berths 10 and 11) with a quay length of 432 meters and an annual handling capacity of approximately 300,000 TEUs. The terminal uses modern equipment, including 3 rail-mounted quay cranes and 4 rubber-tyred gantry cranes, offering a moderate level of automation. The main operator is Haldia International Container Terminal Limited, a subsidiary of International Cargo Terminal and Infrastructure Pvt.

Port Services

Main Services at Haldia Port, India

• Container Handling: Dedicated container terminals with modern cranes and stacking facilities, handling both export and import containers.
• Cargo Operations: Bulk, liquid, and general cargo handling, including petroleum, coal, iron ore, fertilizers, chemicals, and timber.
• Ship Services: Pilotage, tug assistance, bunkering, ship repair, and maintenance.
• Warehousing: Storage facilities for various cargo types, including open storage areas for liquid bulk.
• Customs: Full customs clearance services for efficient import/export processing.
• Connectivity: Seamless road, rail, and air links for cargo movement to and from the port.
• Additional Services: Draught surveys, fender arrangements for vessel safety, and coordination for vessel readiness and berthing.

Global Connectivity

Haldia, a major riverine port in eastern India, is a key node in the region’s logistics network. It is directly connected to National Waterway 1, linking it to North India, and serves as a gateway to Bangladesh and Assam via the Sunderbans Inland Waterways and Indo-Bangladesh Protocol routes. The port is well integrated with rail (connected to the Indian Railways network) and road (NH-16, part of the Golden Quadrilateral), ensuring efficient cargo movement to and from industrial hubs in West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and beyond. Haldia handles diverse cargo—including petroleum, coal, iron ore, fertilizers, and containers—and offers direct shipping services to major global markets such as the USA, Europe, the Mediterranean, Africa, and the Middle East (notably Jebel Ali in the UAE). Its multimodal connectivity and ongoing infrastructure upgrades position Haldia as a vital maritime hub for both domestic and international trade.

Port Statistics

Port: Haldia, India
TEU Throughput (2025): Over 240,000 TEUs annually
World Ranking: Not in the global top 50 container ports
Number of Berths: 15
Port Area: Approximately 233 hectares
Shipping Lines: Serviced by major carriers including Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, and regional operators.