SMP Kolkata posts 27.56% cargo growth in April–May FY26

Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, recorded a strong 27.56% year-on-year rise in cargo handling during April–May 2025, despite global geopolitical headwinds. The port handled 11.252 MMT of cargo, with significant contributions from both the Haldia Dock Complex and Kolkata Dock System. Growth was driven by increased volumes across multiple segments, including petroleum products, fertilizers, vegetable oil, containers, different types of coal, and fly ash.

Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP), Kolkata, has made a strong start to FY26, registering a 27.56% year-on-year growth in cargo handling during April–May 2025, despite global geopolitical uncertainties impacting trade.

The port handled a total of 11.252 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo during the two-month period, compared to 8.821 MMT in the corresponding period last year. Of this, the Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) managed 8.139 MMT, while the Kolkata Dock System (KDS) handled 3.113 MMT—marking growth rates of 27.45% and 27.84%, respectively.

Officials noted that the port achieved broad-based growth across various cargo categories. HDC saw significant increases in the movement of petroleum products, other liquid cargo, vegetable oil, different types of coal, fly ash, and containers. Importantly, HDC handled thermal coal, raw petroleum coke, and 29,000 tonnes of iron and steel for the first time in this period.

KDS also contributed to the overall growth, with higher volumes of finished fertilizers, pulses, foodgrains, timber, and container cargo. It also recorded new arrivals in commodities such as coking coal, timber, and foodgrains, which were not handled in the same months last year.

Container traffic at the port witnessed notable growth. A total of 1,53,037 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) were handled in April–May 2025, up 31.23% from 1,16,620 TEUs during the same period last year. HDC led the surge with over 76% growth in container movement, while KDS posted a 24% rise, highlighting the port’s growing efficiency and capacity. (TEU, or Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit, is a standard measurement used to represent the cargo capacity of container ships and port terminals.)