Key Highlights
- Mundra Port achieved its highest monthly automobile export volume ever, moving 25,762 vehicles in January 2026.
- A single vessel was loaded with 5,701 cars, setting a new one‑ship loading benchmark.
- The port’s liquid terminal processed 1.120 million tonnes of assorted liquids, the greatest monthly haul to date.
- Enhanced rail‑road links, automated systems, and digital tracking underpin Mundra’s competitive advantage.
- Government policy in the 2026‑27 Union Budget continues to prioritize port expansion and multimodal connectivity.
Detailed Insights
Operated by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ), Mundra Port in Gujarat recorded an all‑time high in automobile exports during January 2026, dispatching 25,762 vehicles via its dedicated roll‑on/roll‑off (RoRo) facility at the Adani Mundra Container Terminal (CT2). This surpassed the previous peak set in May 2024 and reflects robust overseas demand for Indian‑made cars, particularly from manufacturers such as Maruti Suzuki and Toyota, which routed shipments to Africa, Europe, East Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.
In a separate feat, a single vessel departing the port carried 5,701 cars, translating to an average handling speed of 145 vehicles per hour. The accomplishment required synchronized efforts among yard supervisors, terminal planners, and ship operators while adhering to stringent safety protocols.
Concurrently, the liquid cargo terminal handled 1.120 million tonnes of products—including energy commodities, chemicals, and industrial liquids—marking the highest monthly throughput since the terminal’s inception and overtaking the December 2025 record.
Mundra’s status as India’s largest commercial port (over 200 million tonnes annually) is reinforced by its 27 % share of national port volume, a network of 15 domestic and four overseas ports, and state‑of‑the‑art automation and multimodal links. These attributes position the port as a pivotal gateway for India’s export‑driven growth strategy.
The achievements align with the Union Budget 2026‑27, which reiterates the government’s commitment to expanding maritime infrastructure, improving multimodal connectivity, and facilitating exports. Analysts contend that continued investment in ports like Mundra will be essential for integrating India more deeply into global manufacturing and supply chains.
Key Concepts
- Roll‑on/Roll‑off (RoRo) terminal: A dock facility where wheeled cargo such as cars are driven on and off ships, eliminating the need for containerization.
- Single‑vessel loading record: The highest quantity of cargo loaded onto one ship in a single operation, indicating peak operational efficiency.
- Liquid cargo terminal: Specialized infrastructure for receiving, storing, and transferring bulk liquids like petroleum, chemicals, and industrial fluids.
- Multimodal connectivity: Integrated transport links that combine rail, road, and sea routes to streamline cargo movement.
- Export‑led growth: An economic development model that emphasizes increasing overseas sales of domestically produced goods.