The New Mangalore Port, the only Major Port of Karnataka was declared as the 9^th Major Port on 4^th May 1974 and was formally inaugurated by the then Prime Minister of India, Smt. Indira Gandhi on 11^th January 1975. 

Then Prime Minister Late Smt. Indira Gandhi Jee at the Inaugural Function

The Provisions of the Major Port Trust Act 1963 were applied to NMP with effect from 1-4-1980.  Since then the Port has been functioning as a catalyst for the economic development of this region and cater the needs of the shippers.  Over the years the Port has grown from the level of handling less than a lakh tonnes of traffic during the inception period  to 31.55 million tones handled during 2010-11 

            The major commodities exported through the Port are Iron Ore Concentrates & Pellets, Iron Ore Fines, POL Products, granite stones,  containerized cargo, etc.  The major imports of the Port are Crude and POL products, LPG, coal, limestone,  timber logs, finished fertilizers, liquid ammonia, phosphoric acid, other liquid chemicals, containerized cargo, etc.

The Mangalore Harbour Projects Started in 1962, was completed in May,1974.

Ground opening ceremony:Then Prime Minister of India Late Sri Lalbahadur Shastri Jee opening the Ground

The New Managlore Port was declared as the 9th Major Port on 4th May 1974 and was formally inaugurated by the former Prime Minister of India, Smt. Indira Gandhi on 11th January 1975.    

Till 31st March 1980, the Government of India centrally administered both Project and the Port. On 1st April 1980, the Port Trust Board was set up under the  Major Port Trust Act, 1963.  Since then Port has been functioning as the 10th Major Port Trust and has fallen in line with other Major Port Trusts functioning in the country.