India’s Coastal Shipping Network: Top Routes, Ports & Commodities in 2025

India, with its 7,500 km long coastline and 12 major ports, has always had the potential to become a coastal shipping powerhouse. In 2025, this potential is being realized more than ever, as the government and private sector jointly invest in improving coastal shipping routes in India, modernizing Indian coastal ports, and developing freight corridors to strengthen domestic logistics.

As businesses seek faster, greener, and more economical transportation methods, domestic shipping lanes are gaining preference over traditional rail or road freight. This blog explores the top routes, ports, and cargo types in India’s coastal trade, and how this mode is transforming Indian logistics.

Why Coastal Shipping Matters in 2025

Coastal shipping is emerging as a key component of India’s multimodal logistics strategy.

Here’s why:

Fuel Efficiency: Ships consume far less fuel per ton-kilometer than trucks or trains.

Cost-Effective: Shipping is often 30–40% cheaper than road transport over long distances.

Sustainability: Lower carbon emissions help businesses meet their environmental targets.

Decongesting Roads: Reduces traffic load and wear on national highways.

In 2025, government initiatives like Sagarmala, the PM Gati Shakti Plan, and National Logistics Policy (NLP) have further boosted the growth of coastal shipping routes in India.

Top Coastal Shipping Routes in India

Several domestic shipping lanes now form the backbone of the Indian coastal trade network. Below are some of the busiest and most strategic routes in 2025:

1. Mundra – Kochi – Tuticorin – Chennai

Significance: Connects the western and southern ports of India.

Cargo: Petroleum products, edible oil, coal, fertilizers, and industrial goods.

Benefits: Offers an alternative to heavily congested road transport in Kerala and Tamil- Nadu.

2. Kandla – Mumbai – Mangalore

Significance: Key west coast corridor supporting industrial belts.

Cargo: Iron ore, steel, cement, textiles, and breakbulk cargo.

Benefits: Supports trade within Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.

3. Paradip – Visakhapatnam – Kakinada – Chennai

Significance: Eastern corridor supporting the steel and energy sectors.

Cargo: Thermal coal, fly ash, iron ore, and crude oil.

Benefits: Streamlines movement from Odisha and Andhra Pradesh to Tamil Nadu.

4. Kolkata – Haldia – Paradip – Ennore

Significance: Connects the industrial hubs of eastern and southern India.

Cargo: Bulk cargo, agro products, and food grains.

Benefits: Encourages coastal trade in less connected eastern regions.

These domestic shipping lanes now offer regular sailings, integrated logistics support, and intermodal connectivity.

Major Indian Coastal Ports in 2025

India’s coastal trade is anchored by several major and minor ports. These Indian coastal ports have seen significant infrastructure upgrades to handle coastal cargo efficiently.

1. Mundra Port (Gujarat)

India’s largest private port.

Hub for containerized coastal cargo, including FMCG and electronics.

2. Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Mumbai)

Strategically important for domestic container movement.

Connected to India’s western Dedicated Freight Corridor.

3. Chennai Port (Tamil Nadu)

Strong link in coastal container shipping.

Handles automobiles, machinery, and breakbulk cargo.

4. Visakhapatnam Port (Andhra Pradesh)

A key port for energy cargo—coal, petroleum, and fertilizer.

Efficient inland connectivity to central India.

5. Tuticorin Port (Tamil Nadu)

Supports container traffic to and from Sri Lanka.

Handles cement, sugar, and textiles for coastal movement.

6. Kochi Port (Kerala)

Key in the southern coastal circuit.

Important for domestic LNG, edible oils, and spice exports.

Many of these ports are now integrated with multi-modal logistics parks and dry ports to ensure smooth last-mile connectivity.

Types of Cargo in Coastal Trade

India’s coastal network supports a wide range of cargo, both bulk and containerized. Understanding cargo types in coastal trade helps businesses plan better logistics strategies.

Bulk Cargo:

Coal & Petroleum Products: For power plants and refineries along the coast.

Cement & Steel: To support construction and infrastructure projects.

Food Grains & Fertilizers: For domestic agricultural distribution.

Containerized Cargo:

FMCG Products: Daily consumables, appliances, electronics.

Automotive Components: Between regional manufacturing hubs.

Textiles and Apparel: From export-oriented units.

Liquid Bulk:

Edible Oils: Movement from import ports to refineries.

Chemicals & Lubricants: For industrial use in port-side SEZs.

In 2025, technological advancements and digital cargo tracking have made it easier to manage even perishable and time-sensitive goods via coastal shipping.

Freight Corridors Supporting Coastal Shipping

India’s growing network of freight corridors plays a vital role in linking ports with production and consumption centers.

1. Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC)

Connects JNPT (Mumbai) to Delhi.

Seamless rail transfer for cargo arriving via coastal shipping.

2. Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC)

Connects ports on the east coast to UP and Bihar.

Facilitates coal and steel movement inland.

3. Multi-Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs)

Located near coastal ports like Chennai, Visakhapatnam, and Kochi.

Offer warehousing, packaging, and first/last-mile connectivity.

4. Gati Shakti Freight Grid

Integrates highways, railways, and ports into a unified logistics system.

Supports faster evacuation of coastal cargo to inland destinations.

With these freight corridors in India, coastal shipping is no longer limited to port-to-port movement—it’s now a key link in the larger multimodal logistics network.

Government Support and Policy Incentives

Several policy initiatives are driving the coastal shipping boom in 2025:

Sagarmala Programme: Focuses on port modernization, connectivity, and coastal economic zones.

Priority Berthing for Coastal Ships: Reduces wait time and increases turnaround.

Reduced Port Charges for Coastal Cargo: Makes sea transport more attractive than road or rail.

Cabotage Relaxation for Ro-Ro and Ro-Pax: Boosts passenger and vehicle ferry services.

These initiatives are backed by digital integration of ports, real-time cargo tracking, and paperless customs processes.

Future Outlook: Coastal Shipping in a Greener India

As India aims to meet its net-zero goals by 2070, coastal shipping is gaining attention for its sustainability.

Lower Carbon Emissions: Ships emit up to 70% less CO₂ than trucks per ton-km.

LNG and Electric Vessels: Being introduced for short-haul routes.

Smart Ports: Adoption of automation and AI for energy efficiency.

Businesses that align with greener logistics practices find coastal shipping routes in India a natural choice to reduce environmental impact while optimizing costs.

Conclusion

In 2025, India’s coastal shipping network is no longer just a support system—it’s a driving force behind the country’s logistics efficiency. With strong domestic shipping lanes, modernized Indian coastal ports, and better integration with freight corridors in India, coastal trade is transforming how goods move across the nation.

From bulk cargo to containerized goods, and from fuel to food grains, coastal shipping offers a smart, sustainable, and scalable logistics solution for Indian industries.

For businesses looking to lower costs, improve delivery times, and contribute to cleaner transport, now is the time to embrace India’s rising coastal network.