India has multiple major ports that serve as critical gateways for international trade. The most significant ones include Port of Mumbai (formerly Bombay), Port of Chennai, Port of Kolkata, Port of Jawaharlal Nehru (Navi Mumbai), and Port of Visakhapatnam. Mumbai is traditionally considered the largest and busiest port in India, handling the majority of cargo traffic and serving as a major hub for container shipping. Other major ports include Kandla in Gujarat and Cochin in Kerala. These ports are classified as "major ports" under Indian law and are operated by the central government through the Indian Ports Association. They handle over 60% of India's maritime trade, processing millions of tonnes of cargo annually including containerized goods, bulk commodities, petroleum products, and general cargo. Each port specializes in different types of cargo based on its location, infrastructure, and facilities. The choice of which port to use depends on factors like proximity to suppliers or consumers, available handling equipment, draft depth, and connectivity to rail and road networks. India also has numerous smaller "minor ports" operated by state governments that collectively handle the remaining portion of maritime trade.