Kandla, India

Port Overview

Kandla, officially known as Deendayal Port, is located in the Kutch district of Gujarat, India, near the Gulf of Kutch. It ranks among India’s largest ports by cargo volume and is a key maritime gateway for northern and western India. Strategically positioned for trade with the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, Kandla plays a vital role in handling bulk, liquid, and containerized cargo. Its annual container throughput is approximately 5 million TEUs, making it one of the country’s leading container ports.

Facilities & Infrastructure

Kandla Port, located in Gujarat, features 18 berths including 12 dry cargo berths and 6 oil jetties, handling a wide range of cargo such as petroleum, chemicals, iron ore, salt, and containers. The port is equipped with modern cargo handling equipment, including cranes for bulk and container operations. It also offers warehousing, pilotage, tug, and ship repair services. Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are not currently a core feature at Kandla.

Container Terminals

Kandla’s main container terminal, operated by Kandla International Container Terminal Private Limited (KICTPL), has 2 berths with a current annual capacity of 750,000 TEUs. The terminal features moderate automation, including mechanized cargo handling systems. A major expansion is underway: DP World is developing the Tuna-Tekra terminal nearby, which will add a 1,100-meter berth and 2.19 million TEU capacity by 2027, featuring advanced automation and next-generation vessel handling. Major operators are KICTPL and DP World.

Port Services

• Container handling: Modern container terminals for efficient loading and unloading of containerized cargo.
• Cargo operations: Handling of bulk, liquid, and general cargo including petroleum, chemicals, coal, fertilizers, salt, and grain.
• Ship services: Pilotage, berthing, night navigation, anchorage, and support equipment such as cranes and forklifts.
• Warehousing: On-site storage facilities for various cargo types, including bonded and general warehouses.
• Customs: Full customs clearance and documentation services for import and export cargo.

Global Connectivity

Kandla (Deendayal Port) in Gujarat is a major Indian port with robust rail, road, and Dedicated Freight Corridor connectivity, serving the hinterlands of northern, western, and central India. It links to key ports such as Mundra, Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT), and Vadhawan, and is positioned on major shipping routes to the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. Kandla is also part of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, enhancing access to global markets.

Port Statistics

Kandla Port (Deendayal Port), India: Key Statistics

• TEU Throughput: Kandla is primarily a bulk and liquid cargo port, with containerization still developing. A new 2.19 million TEU container terminal is under construction at Tuna Tekra, but current container volumes are modest compared to major container hubs like JNPT or Mundra.
• World Ranking: Kandla ranks among India’s top ports by total cargo volume, regularly handling over 150 million metric tonnes annually, but it does not feature in global top 20 container port rankings.
• Number of Berths: The port operates multiple berths, with ongoing expansion including new multi-cargo and oil jetties. Exact current berth count is fluid due to active development.
• Area: The port complex is extensive, with the new shipbuilding facility alone spanning over 8,000 acres. The main port area and new terminals outside Kandla Creek significantly expand its footprint.
• Shipping Lines: Major global and Indian shipping lines call at Kandla, especially for bulk, liquid, and project cargoes. As container capacity grows, more liner services are expected.
• Cargo Mix: Dominated by petroleum, oil, and lubricants (about 60%), with significant volumes of timber, salt, food grains, edible oils, chemicals, and emerging containerized exports.

Kandla is undergoing rapid modernization and capacity expansion, positioning itself as a critical hub for bulk, liquid, and—increasingly—containerized trade on India’s west coast.