India’s major ports have achieved a remarkable 7.6 per cent reduction in average vessel turnaround time. According to information presented in Parliament, the average vessel turnaround time, which stood at 52.87 hours in the financial year 2021–22, has now come down to 48.84 hours in FY 2025–26.
Vessel turnaround time refers to the time a vessel spends at port facilities, from arrival to departure after completing cargo operations. This reduction represents a significant improvement in the operational efficiency of India’s major state-owned ports, which collectively handled a record 915.17 million tonnes of cargo in FY 2025–26.
The numbers are a testament to a decade of infrastructure modernisation, driven by mechanisation and digital integration. In 2014, the average turnaround time stood at 96 hours.
Government initiatives, including the construction of new berths and terminals, digitisation of port processes, and enhanced rail and road connectivity, have driven these improvements.
These efficiency gains have translated into lower logistics costs for exporters and importers, as reduced port dwell times minimise demurrage charges and vessel idle time.
Container vessels, in particular, have registered even faster turnaround times, with operations at some facilities being completed in under 30 hours.
Nine Indian ports now rank among the global top 100 for container-handling efficiency, reflecting the country’s enhanced competitiveness in international maritime trade.
