Kandla and Mundra are now “mega ports”: what that means for a career in shipping

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, in a notification dated 25 September 2026, has classified four ports as mega ports under Section 73 of the Indian Ports Act, 2025. Two of them are in Gujarat's Kutch district: Deendayal Port (Kandla) and Mundra Port. The other two are Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) near Mumbai and Paradip in Odisha.

What the classification means

The four ports meet the criteria the Centre has prescribed for mega-port status. The framework is meant to support high-capacity, efficient ports as trade grows, and it signals continued investment in port capacity, rail and road links to industrial areas, and modern cargo operations.

The jobs behind a port

Most students think of ships and sailors. A mega port is much more than that:

• Marine and nautical: pilots, harbour masters, tug and dredger crews. Routes are via nautical science and marine engineering degrees, and the Indian Maritime University's entrance.
• Port engineering: civil, mechanical and electrical engineers for berths, cranes, dredging and power.
• Logistics and trade: terminal operations, container planning, customs brokerage, freight forwarding and shipping documentation. These are open to commerce graduates and MBAs in logistics and supply chain.
• Technology: port community systems, automation and data roles.
• Skilled trades: crane operators, electricians, fitters and welders. ITI routes with steady demand.

Where to start in Gujarat

Gujarat Maritime University in Gandhinagar offers maritime law, management and logistics programmes. Government recruitment through GPSC and the Gujarat Maritime Board (marine engineers, port officers, traffic officers) is open right now, with applications closing on 8 October. For school students in Kutch, a port is the biggest employer on the map, and the path into it can start with a diploma.

CareerBox News Desk, reporting on the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways’ notification of 25 September 2026 under the Indian Ports Act, 2025. Official portal: shipmin.gov.in. Dates and eligibility change; confirm them on the official portal before you act.