Major ports of Maharashtra
Maharashtra has a coastline of approximately 720 km along the Arabian Sea. It is home to 2 operational major ports (Mumbai Port and JNPT) and 48 notified minor ports managed by the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB). A new mega greenfield major port at Vadhavan (Palghar) was approved in 2024. In state exams like MPSC, Combine (PSI/STI/ASO), Talathi, and Police Bharti, questions frequently appear on port classifications, districts, river/creek mouths, and trade items. Tap any port marker on the map to explore detailed facts, check previous exam questions, and test your knowledge in the practice quiz mode.
Total ports
14
Major ports
3 (1 proposed)
Minor ports
11
Natural ports
11
Container ports
4
Most important
2 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tap a port marker on the map or select from the list below.
Quick revision cards for exams
Mumbai Port is a natural, sheltered deep-water harbor. Formalized in 1873, it is the second oldest major port in India after Kolkata.
Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) at Nhava Sheva is an entirely artificial container port, handling over 50% of India's containerized cargo.
Vadhavan Port in Palghar district is a newly approved mega greenfield port with a massive natural draft of 20 meters, allowing the largest mega container ships.
Ratnagiri's Mirya Bay is Maharashtra's only fully developed all-weather minor port protected by a heavy breakwater.
Redi Port in Vengurla (Sindhudurg) is the southernmost port of Maharashtra, primarily famous for exporting high-grade iron ore.
Dabhol Port is situated on the Vashishti River estuary and houses a major LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) import terminal.
Jaigad Port is a deep-water private commercial port on the Shastri River estuary capable of handling Capesize bulk carriers.
Dighi Port is Raigad's first private commercial port developed on the Rajpuri Creek, opposite the historic Murud-Janjira Sea Fort.
Ports at a glance
| Port name | District | Category | Port type | Established | Authority | Trade significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai Port | Mumbai City | Major Port | Natural Port | 1873 (Trust established) | Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA) | One of the oldest modern ports in India, handling bulk cargo, chemicals, oil, and passenger cruise vessels. |
| Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) | Raigad | Major Port | Artificial Port | 1989 (Commissioned) | Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) | Largest container port in India, handling over 50% of the country's total containerized ocean trade. |
| Ratnagiri Port | Ratnagiri | Minor Port | Natural Port | 1970s (Modern terminal) | Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) | Major harbor for exporting local Alphonso mangoes, horticultural produce, and minerals like bauxite. |
| Jaigad Port | Ratnagiri | Minor Port | Artificial Port | 2009 (Commercial operations) | JSW Jaigad Port Ltd (PPP) | First modern private deep-water port in Maharashtra, handling coal, iron ore, limestone, and sugar. |
| Dabhol Port | Ratnagiri | Minor Port | Natural Port | Ancient (Modern LNG in 2012) | Maharashtra Maritime Board / Konkan LNG | Houses one of India's largest Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) import terminals and regasification plants. |
| Dighi Port | Raigad | Minor Port | Natural Port | 2014 (Dry cargo terminal) | Maharashtra Maritime Board / Adani Ports | Developing as a direct alternative gateway to Mumbai, feeding industrial hubs in Pune and Raigad. |
| Rewas Port | Raigad | Minor Port | Artificial Port | Colonial Era (Passenger services) | Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) | Crucial passenger ferry terminal linking Mumbai City (Bhaucha Dhakka) to Alibag and northern Raigad. |
| Redi Port | Sindhudurg | Minor Port | Natural Port | 1950s (Mining traffic) | Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) | Highly critical port for exporting high-grade iron ore mined in Sindhudurg district and Goa. |
| Vijaydurg Port | Sindhudurg | Minor Port | Natural Port | Ancient (Maratha Naval base) | Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) | Key local trading hub, supporting fisheries, silica sand shipping, and horticultural cargo. |
| Vadhavan Port | Palghar | Major Port | Natural Port | 2024 (Cabinet approval) | Vadhavan Port Project Ltd (JV of JNPA & MMB) | Planned as a mega greenfield port with a capacity of 298 million tonnes, aiming to be in the world's top 10 container ports. |
| Bankot Port | Ratnagiri | Minor Port | Natural Port | Ancient (1756 British Treaty) | Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) | Serves local fishing fleets and handles small-scale coastal shipping of coal and sand. |
| Mandwa Port | Raigad | Minor Port | Natural Port | 2000s (Modern passenger jetty) | Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) | Crucial tourism link, facilitating rapid catamaran, speedboat, and Ro-Ro car ferry passenger travel between Gateway of India (Mumbai) and Alibag. |
| Alibag Port | Raigad | Minor Port | Natural Port | Maratha Era (17th Century) | Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) | Serves as a vital regional fishery port, fish market, and local ferry node for the district headquarters. |
| Malvan Port | Sindhudurg | Minor Port | Natural Port | 1664 (Fortified by Shivaji) | Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) | Significant regional hub for marine tourism (scuba diving, snorkeling), fishing, and cashew trade. |
The map above is a simplified educational schematic. Location coordinates, alignments, and boundaries are approximate representations for study purposes.