Port cities in India are located along the seacoasts. The major port cities of the country provide harbour to ships and boats from storms and rough water. Basically, the water front district of a city is called a port city. Ports are specially designed to help in loading and unloading vessels or ships. There are several major port cities in India namely Allapuzha, Bharuch, Bhavnagar, Haldia, Kandla, Kochi, Lothal, Machilipatnam, Maikala, Mangalore, Mormugao, Nhava Sheva, Panaji, Paradip, Porbandar, Ratnagiri, Surat, Veraval, Vijaydurg, Vishakhapatnam.

The chief port cities of India are mentioned below -

Allapuzha: It is one of the major port cities of the country. Located in Kerala, this city is a landmark between the Arabian Sea and a network of rivers, lagoons flowing into it. As a result of its immediacy to the sea, Allapuzha has grown into an important backwater tourist centre. This city is washed by the silvery waves of Arabian Sea. History says Allapuzha had trade relations with ancient Greece and Rome in the middle ages.

Bharuch : It is a large port city located in the Bharuch District of Gujarat. The place was always prosperous as a result of its location on the banks of Narmada River. Though there tends to be scarcity of water in Gujarat, Bharuch is blessed with plenty of water.

Bhavnagar: A port city of Gujarat, it is a place of commercial significance because of its closeness with the Gulf of Cammbay and the Arabian Sea. The ship breaking yard of Alang is the biggest in the world, recycling nearly 50 percent of the salvaged ships of the world. This port city is an important centre for diamond cutting and polishing industry in the country.

Haldia: It is a port city in the state of West Bengal. The port city has attracted several factories, like Mitsubishi Chemical Company, Haldia Petrochemicals etc. The Haldia Petrochemicals is second largest project of India. This port city has several industries such as South Asian Petrochemicals Limited, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Exide, Shaw Wallace, Tata Chemicals, Petrochemical complex and Hindustan Lever.

Kandla: Considered as the most prominent port of India, it is located in the Kutch District of Gujarat. It is aiming to become the number one in Asia in terms of traffic handling. This city plays a vital role in the international trade of the country.

Kochi: It is regarded as the Queen of Arabian Sea and is located in Kerala. The city is one of the principal seaports of the country. The Cochin Shipyard in Kochi is the largest shipyard in India. Cochin fishing harbour is the major fishing port in the state and supplies fish to local as well national markets. It is also one of the fastest growing second tier metro cities of the country.

Lothal: Lothal is an ancient city located around 82 kms from Ahmedabad that offers an insight into one of the world`s oldest urban cultures and the largest civilisation (Indus Valley Civilization). The port of the city was one of the most important ports on the subcontinent. Seals discovered at the site suggest that trade may have been conducted with the civilisations of Mesopotamia, Egypt and Persia.

Machilipatnam: Machilipatnam is a port city located in Andhra Pradesh. The port is located on the Coromandel Coast of India. It is said that flourishing sea trade was carried out at the Machilipatnam port. It was a 17th century port for French, Dutch and British trade.

Mormugao : besides being a port city, it is a municipal council in South Goa district in Goa. It is the main port of Goa. Mormugao is listed as one of the major ports of India. Mormugao consistently records the highest tonnage of ore exported, as it is the only port on the western seaboard of the country. Yearly about 24 million tons of iron ore is exported through this port.

Mangalore: It is a chief port city located in the state of Karnataka. It is situated on the west coast of the country. The economy of Mangalore is mainly dominated by activities associated with ports and agricultural processing.

Nhava Sheva: Also known as Jawaharlal Nehru Port, it is the largest port in the country and is located on the west coast close to Mumbai. It handles around 50 percent of the country`s port traffic. The port has three terminals - JNPCT, NSICT and GTI (Gateway Terminal of India). Nhava Sheva is the first privately managed container terminal of the country. It is run by DP Ports.

Panaji: Panaji or Panjim is a port city situated in Goa. The port is one of the finest natural harbours of India. The city lies on the left bank of Mandovi River. Panaji was a simple Konkani port surrounded by marshes and defended by a hill-fort in the past.

Paradip: Paradip is a primary seaport located in Orissa. It is said that Paradip port handled 33,109,000 tonnes of cargo in 2005-2006, out of which thermal coal was 12,529,000 tonnes and iron ore was 10,273,000 tonnes. Paradip is emerging as a chief investment in India with several upcoming steel plants.

Porbandar: Located in Gujarat, it is an important all weather port. Its deep sea port was built during the last quarter of the 20th century. The name of the port was derived from the two words: "Porai` and "Bandar". Porai is the name of a local goddess, and Bandar means port or harbour.

Ratnagiri: Ratnagiri is an important port city located in Maharashtra. The port is located on the south of Pawas Bay in the Ratnagiri District. The northern and southern shores of the bay are rocky.

Surat: A port city in Gujarat, it is the second largest city in Gujarat and ninth largest in India. The port city is located at the centre of country`s thriving diamond-polishing industry. It is said that out of this port, the city of Surat was born.

Veraval: Veraval is a well equipped port located at around 6 kms from Somnath temple, Gujarat. The most striking sight of Veraval is the fishing port.

Vijaydurg: It is a popular seaport located at around 485 km from Mumbai on the West Coast of the country.

Vishakhapatnam: Vishakhapatnam or Vizag is a port city in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is located on the eastern shore of India, facing the Bay of Bengal. The port plays a crucial role as the middle point distribution base for Southern, Eastern, Central and Northern states of India.