Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMPK), India’s only riverine major port, reported a stellar 21.21% year-on-year cargo growth in Q1 FY26, handling 17.18 million metric tonnes (MMT) from April to June 2025, up from 14.2 MMT in the same period last year, according to a port statement.

Container traffic soared by 29.02%, reaching 234,270 TEUs, driven by enhanced infrastructure and operational efficiency. Key commodities saw significant upticks: vegetable oil rose 33.21% to 1.095 MMT, coking coal jumped 34.28% to 2.653 MMT, and petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL) increased 14.45% to 2.495 MMT. The port’s twin dock systems—Kolkata Dock System and Haldia Dock Complex—cater to eastern and northeastern India, as well as Nepal and Bhutan.

SMPK Chairman Rathendra Raman credited strategic planning, recent infrastructure upgrades, and a customer-centric approach for the port’s robust performance. Initiatives like the ₹740 crore berth modernization project at Netaji Subhash Dock further bolster its capacity. This growth cements SMPK’s pivotal role in India’s maritime trade, despite challenges like dredging costs and geopolitical tensions.

Also Read: Himachal CM Urges MPs for Forest Land Aid

Also Read: Escalating Drone Warfare Highlights Russia and Ukraine’s Reliance on Unmanned Systems