Posted on June 16, 2025
Krishnapatnam Port has reported its highest-ever monthly dry cargo handling, clocking an impressive 5.74 million metric tonnes (MMT), signalling a major leap in operational efficiency and infrastructure performance. This milestone reflects the port’s growing role in strengthening India’s maritime logistics ecosystem amid a larger push for trade resilience and sustainable infrastructure.
The port also registered its single-day road cargo dispatch record, moving 55,958 metric tonnes by road—another indication of its robust internal logistics and coordination with hinterland networks. With this operational high point, Krishnapatnam further solidifies its position as a vital node in the country’s eastern maritime corridor. Located strategically along the Bay of Bengal in Nellore district, the port is part of the Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd’s expanding portfolio. Over the past year, Krishnapatnam has seen consistent growth in dry cargo throughput—driven largely by coal, fertilisers, and minerals—helped by multimodal connectivity, port automation, and capacity enhancement measures.
While port officials attributed this milestone to improved logistics planning and seamless multimodal evacuation, the achievement also aligns with India’s broader goal of developing efficient, sustainable, and globally competitive maritime infrastructure. The port’s increasing cargo handling capacity comes as the logistics sector in India undergoes a major transformation under the Gati Shakti framework and the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. With climate concerns mounting globally, Indian ports are also being nudged toward integrating sustainability into cargo operations. Krishnapatnam Port has reportedly stepped up its efforts in adopting greener technologies, including lower-emission equipment, energy-efficient cargo handling systems, and renewable power integration. The port’s dry cargo efficiency gains could be an early signal of how productivity and sustainability can co-exist in India’s future-ready ports.
The recent operational momentum at Krishnapatnam also mirrors the Adani Group’s port-led development strategy. In December 2024, the operator’s Gangavaram facility became the first Indian port to deploy Economic Grab Ship Cranes—technology aimed at increasing cargo handling speed with energy efficiency. Further expanding its international footprint, the Group began operations at the Colombo West International Terminal in Sri Lanka earlier this year, cementing its position as a key player in the Indian Ocean trade network. Experts believe that Krishnapatnam’s record cargo numbers underscore not just the strength of private port management models but also the urgency of building carbon-smart maritime gateways that can support India’s $5 trillion economy ambition without compromising environmental targets.
As inland connectivity and port-side infrastructure continue to improve, stakeholders are calling for more policy support to push sustainable logistics. Key recommendations include faster clearance for green infrastructure projects, dedicated freight corridors to decongest road networks, and stronger last-mile connectivity solutions that reduce carbon intensity per cargo tonne. In a post-pandemic economy reoriented toward resilience and green recovery, Krishnapatnam’s dry cargo performance stands as a testament to what operational excellence, smart technology integration, and logistics agility can together achieve. The challenge now lies in ensuring that future growth is inclusive, eco-conscious, and aligned with the national agenda of carbon neutrality and equitable urban-industrial development. By maintaining a balance between growth and sustainability, Krishnapatnam Port may well serve as a model for next-generation Indian ports—efficient, scalable, and built for a cleaner trade future.
