VISAKHAPATNAM: Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) handled a record 91.17 million tonnes (MMT) of cargo in 2025-26, up from 82.62 MMT in the previous financial year, marking the fourth consecutive year of growth, according to VPA data released ahead of its 93rd Foundation Day.
The port handled 46.14 MMT of cargo between April and September 2026, compared with 43.09 MMT during the corresponding period last year, registering a 7 per cent increase. The average vessel waiting time also fell by 37 per cent, from 0.71 hours to 0.45 hours.
VPA ranked fourth among the country’s Major Ports and second among ports on the east coast in cargo handled during 2025-26.
It recorded a daily cargo handling record of 5,33,266 tonnes on December 26, 2025.
Cargo traffic at the port has increased from 0.13 MMT in 1933-34 to 69.03 MMT in 2021-22, 73.75 MMT in 2022-23, 81.09 MMT in 2023-24, 82.62 MMT in 2024-25 and 91.17 MMT in 2025-26.
On the eve of the 93rd Foundation Day, VPA Chairperson J.S. Bindra and Deputy Chairperson Roshni Aparanji Korati congratulated the officers, employees, trade unions and citizens of Visakhapatnam for their contribution to the growth of the maritime sector.
Visakhapatnam Port was opened to ocean traffic on October 7, 1933, with the arrival of passenger vessel S.S. Jaladurga.
It was formally inaugurated on December 19, 1933, by Lord Willingdon, the then Viceroy and Governor-General of India. Engineers W.C. Ash and O.B. Rattenbery played key roles in shaping the harbour.
The port also recorded its highest cargo throughput in 2025-26, while its railway system handled 33.75 MMT during the year.
It had earlier 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-million-tonne mark.
The port can handle Supramax and Capesize vessels of up to 2 lakh DWT and drafts of up to 18.10 metres.