Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) handled a record 91.17 mn t of cargo in 2025-26, compared with 82.62 mn t in the previous financial year, according to data released ahead of its 93rd Foundation Day. This marked the port’s fourth consecutive year of growth and its highest annual cargo throughput to date.

Between April and September 2026, the port handled 46.14 mn t, up from 43.09 mn t during the corresponding period last year, representing a 7 per cent increase. Average vessel waiting time declined by 37 per cent, from 0.71 hours to 0.45 hours, reflecting an improvement in operational efficiency.

VPA ranked fourth among India’s major ports and second among ports on the east coast for cargo handled during 2025-26. It also recorded a daily cargo handling high of 533,266 t on December 26, 2025. The port’s railway system handled 33.75 mn t during the financial year.

Cargo traffic has risen steadily from 0.13 mn t in 1933-34 to 69.03 mn t in 2021-22, 73.75 mn t in 2022-23, 81.09 mn t in 2023-24, 82.62 mn t in 2024-25 and 91.17 mn t in 2025-26. The port previously ranked first among major ports for five successive years from 2000-01 to 2004-05 and was the first Indian major port to cross the 50 mn t mark.

Visakhapatnam Port opened to ocean traffic on October 7, 1933, with the arrival of passenger vessel S.S. Jaladurga, and was formally inaugurated on December 19 that year by Lord Willingdon, then Viceroy and Governor-General of India. The port can handle Supramax and Capesize vessels of up to 200,000 DWT with drafts of up to 18.10 m. VPA Chairperson J.S. Bindra and Deputy Chairperson Roshni Aparanji Korati acknowledged the contribution of employees, trade unions, the trade community and Visakhapatnam residents to the port’s development.