SMPK Eyes Double-Digit Cargo Growth in FY25 After Uptick

23 May 2025 CW Team

Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK), is targeting double-digit cargo growth in financial year 2025, supported by mechanisation projects at Haldia and Calcutta, night navigation support, and a revival in the steel sector following a safeguard duty to protect domestic industry.

The port handled 63.95 million tonnes of cargo in FY25, a decline of 3.75 per cent from the record 66.44 million tonnes in FY24. Meanwhile, the twelve government-controlled major ports collectively posted a 4.34 per cent rise in cargo. SMPK recorded a 45.32 per cent increase in cargo handling in April 2025 compared to the previous year.

SMPK granted concessions worth Rs 700 million in FY25, encouraging shippers to use the port more. Infrastructure upgrades include a coal ship-to-rail mechanisation project by Adani Ports at Haldia and additional container handling equipment at Calcutta. Century Ports will also revamp cargo operations at Kidderpore Docks in FY26.

The port will benefit from taking over inland water terminal operations between Haldia and Sahibganj in Jharkhand. The twelve per cent safeguard duty on steel is expected to boost local mills’ capacity and increase demand for coking coal imports, benefiting the port.

If SMPK achieves its target, it will be the first time since its establishment in 1870 that the port handles 70 million tonnes of cargo. Early signs are promising, with thermal coal movement resuming and coking coal nearly doubling to 1.78 million tonnes in April 2025.

Source:Sambit Saha

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