Kandla port to receive 22 vessels in 72 hours: Why this port is important for India amid the Israel-Iran war?

A Thai-bound vessel was bound fpr Kandla port in India when it was attacked by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz.

• Kandla port to receive 22 vessels amid West Asia tensions
• Port's strategic location boosts India's Gulf trade access
• Green hydrogen project aims to make Kandla a clean energy hub

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With tensions escalating between US-Israel and Iran throwing shipping and trade routes out of order and crippling oil and gass supply chains to the country, the Kandla port in Gujarat is set to receive 22 vessels over the next three days.

In a post on X, the Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla said, "Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla, gears up to handle the surge in incoming vessels...Systems working efficiently to accomodate reconfigured voyages and provide services to the best possible standards !!!"

Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla tweets, "Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla gears up to handle the surge in incoming vessels...Systems working efficiently to accomodate reconfigured voyages and provide services to the best possible standards !!!" The port is going to handle 22… pic.twitter.com/LLBLuByQoW

— ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2026

What is worth noting is that this week, a Thai cargo vessel 'Mayuree Naree' struck by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz was bound for Kandla port, an act that was strongly condemned by India

The Ministry of External Affairs reiterated that commercial vessels and civilian crew members should not become targets in the ongoing West Asia conflict and stressed that freedom of navigation and global commerce must not be disrupted.

Established in the 1950s after the loss of Karachi Port during the partition, Kandla port developed into a major gateway for trade in north-western India and handles a large volume of trade with West Asian countries. The ongoing tensions in the Middle East have increased the strategic importance of this port. As the port is set to receive a deluge of vessels, we take a look at why this port is an important trade hub for India.

Strategic location

Kandla Port lies on India’s north-western coast in the Gulf of Kutch, close to major international sea routes connecting India with West Asia, Europe, and Africa. Its position on the Arabian Sea provides easy access to trade passing through the Strait of Hormuz. This location reduces shipping time and cost for cargo coming from the Middle East. Ships carrying oil and cargo from the Persian Gulf region pass through the Strait of Hormuz often enter India from Kandla port.

Important trade hub 

Kandla serves a large hinterland, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and parts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. It acts as a major outlet for agricultural and industrial products from these regions.

Kandla handles a wide range of commodities. It imports crude oil and petroleum products, fertilizers, chemicals and machinery while it exports Basmati rice, salt, textiles, petroleum products

and agricultural commodities.  This large volume of cargo makes it one of India’s busiest ports.

Well-developed infrastructure

The port is connected to major industrial centres by railways, highways, and pipelines.

Efficient storage facilities, oil terminals, and cargo handling infrastructure help it manage large trade volumes.

Special Economic Zone

Near the port is the Kandla Special Economic Zone (KASEZ), one of India’s earliest export processing zones that encourages export-oriented industries focussing on petrochemicals, textiles, and agriculture, attracts foreign investment, generates employment and boosts trade activity.

Green hydrogen project 

The port authority awarded a 5-MW green hydrogen project to develop clean energy infrastructure at Kandla. The project aims to promote sustainable fuel production and strengthen India’s green energy transition. It will help transform Kandla into a green energy hub for hydrogen and ammonia production, supporting future export industries.

The Israel–Iran war increases the strategic importance of Kandla Port because it is a major Indian gateway for Gulf trade. The conflict threatens shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, disrupts exports to Iran and the Middle East, and raises maritime security risks for vessels bound for the port.