Visakhapatnam Port has retained its position as the leader in India’s marine exports, handling a record share of the country’s 19.32 lakh metric tonnes of seafood shipments in the 2025-26 financial year.

According to the latest data from the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), the port handled 5.12 lakh metric tonnes, accounting for more than 26 per cent of the national export volume.

Industry insiders note that the integration of the National Traceability Framework (2025) at the port’s terminals has provided a competitive edge, ensuring compliance for high-value shipments destined for the European Union and China.

Logistical landscape

While Visakhapatnam led on the East Coast, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) in Mumbai secured the second position, handling 3.28 lakh metric tonnes. JNPT continues to serve as a key corridor for Western markets, though it trails Vizag in specialised seafood infrastructure. Kochi Port (1.83 lakh metric tonnes) and Kolkata Port (1.44 lakh metric tonnes) followed, with Kochi focusing on value-added processed marine products and Kolkata maintaining its stronghold over the Black Tiger shrimp variety.

Together, the top five ports, including Chennai, accounted for nearly 64 per cent of India’s total seafood export value, which reached an all-time high of ₹72,325.82 crore ($8.28 billion).

Market dynamics

The fiscal year was marked by a major geographical shift in trade. While reciprocal tariffs led to a 14.5 per cent decline in value for the US market, Vizag Port’s logistical efficiency allowed exporters to shift towards the European Union and China, which saw growth rates of 37.9 per cent and 22.7 per cent respectively.

Frozen shrimp remained the top performer of the export basket, contributing ₹47,973 crore to the total revenue.

MPEDA officials said the modernisation of cold-chain facilities at Visakhapatnam had been the primary driver in reducing transit losses and maintaining the “gold standard” required for international markets.

Speaking to The Hindu Visakhapatnam Port Deputy Chairperson Roshni A. Korati said the port continued its dominance as India’s leading marine export hub, maintaining its top rank for FY 2025-26. Supported by a strong aquaculture belt and cold-chain logistics, the port anticipated a further rise in export values, she told The Hindu.