India’s extensive 7,517 km coastline is dotted with over 200 ports, including 12 major ones. These ports are crucial for the nation’s economy, handling most of its external trade, accounting for approximately 95% of the volume and 68% of the value.
The total cargo handling capacity of Indian ports is substantial, reaching around 2400 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).
Furthermore, India holds a significant position in the global maritime industry. It ranks among the top 5 countries for ship recycling, commanding about 30% of the global market share. In terms of shipping tonnage, India holds the 18th rank globally and is the 16th largest maritime country. Let us explore India’s topmost shipping stocks!
| Name | 5Y CAGR (%) |
| GE Shipping Co | 18.51 |
| S C I | 18.51 |
| ABS Marine | 20.01 |
| Seacoast Ship. | 28.33 |
| Sadhav | 14.15 |
Note: The list of best shipping stocks has been selected based on the market cap of over 1,000 crore and sorted based on 5Y CAGR as of April 11, 2025.
Great Eastern Shipping (GE Shipping), founded in 1948, is India’s largest private shipping company (FY24). It operates 43 ships for oil, gas, and dry bulk transport, and 23 offshore assets via Greatship India Ltd. In Q3FY24, GE Shipping raised ₹2150 crore through NCDs, converting them into USD loans.
The company’s revenue decreased from ₹1,011 Crore in Sep-24 to ₹878.50 Crore in Dec-24. The company’s net profit increased from ₹564.97 Cr in Sep-24 to ₹678.63 Crore in Dec-24. The company’s total revenue for FY23-24 was ₹4,164.79 Crore and its net profit was ₹2,316.34 Crore
Key metrics:
SCI, a “Navratna” company, is India’s largest shipper with a diverse fleet of 59 vessels. It transports goods and passengers, with tankers being the largest segment (67% of revenue in 9M FY24). SCI focuses on acquiring second-hand vessels and expanding its coastal liner services. India accounts for 77% of its revenue (FY23).
The company’s revenue decreased from ₹1,450.63 Crore in Sep-24 to ₹1,302.97 Crore in Dec-24. The company’s net profit significantly decreased from ₹290.22 Cr in Sep-24 to ₹64.80 Crore in Dec-24. The company’s total revenue for FY23-24 was ₹5,046.04 Crore and its net profit was ₹612.15 Crore.
Key metrics:
ABS Marine (est. 1992) offers diverse shipping services. In FY24, it owned 5 ships, managed 36, and had 1 chartered vessel. Revenue came mainly from ship management (~67%) and charter hire (~32%). Listed on NSE Emerge in May 2024 after a ₹96.25 crore IPO. Ananthanarayanan became CFO in August 2024.
The company reported a net profit of ₹8.10 Cr for the quarter, with a profit variation of 20.01%.
Key metrics:
Seacoast Shipping (est. 2005) is a major Gujarat freight forwarder, specialising in agri-exports and handling over 5 MT annually. They offer clearing, forwarding, freight broking, and global dry bulk transport. Clients include Welspun and Reliance. The company plans to buy a dry bulk ship for India-Africa trade and focuses on emerging markets and digital transformation.
The company’s quarterly net profit was ₹7.00 Cr, showing a significant profit variation of 39.44%.
Key metrics:
Sadhav Shipping (est. 1996) owns and operates 22 vessels, offering offshore logistics, port services (including oil spill response), and ship management. Top 5 clients, including ONGC (43%), contribute 80% of revenue. The company has a strong order book (₹400 Cr+ as of July 2024) and listed on NSE Emerge in March 2024.
The company’s quarterly net profit was ₹7.00 Cr, showing a significant profit variation of 39.44%.
Key metrics:
| Name | ROCE % |
| Essar Shipping | 204.88 |
| Transworld Shipp | 178.49 |
| Seacoast Ship. | 39.44 |
| Global Offshore | 23.1 |
| Sadhav | 11.79 |
Note: The list of best shipping stocks has been selected based on the market cap of over 1,000 crore and sorted based on return on capital employed as of April 11, 2025.
| Name | Market Cap (₹crore) |
| GE Shipping Co | 5.18 |
| S C I | 8.57 |
| Transworld Shipp | 14.37 |
| Essar Shipping | 29.73 |
| ABS Marine | 10.2 |
Note: The list of best shipping stocks has been selected based on the market cap of over 1,000 crore as of April 11, 2025.
In conclusion, India’s robust port and shipping industry, driven by strong external trade, presents several compelling investment opportunities. Based on a 5-year CAGR, ABS Marine and Seacoast Shipping have shown notable growth. However, considering ROCE, Essar Shipping and Transworld Shipping lead. Market capitalization also highlights GE Shipping and SCI as major players. Investors should consider these diverse metrics for informed decisions in this dynamic sector.
Read more on: Best Logistics Stocks in India in April 2025
Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.
Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing.
Published on: Apr 14, 2025, 10:42 AM IST
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