DP World launches ‘SARAL-2’ multimodal service to link Delhi-Chennai

DP World announced its multimodal service ‘SARAL-2’, connecting Chennai to the National Capital Region under the ‘SARAL’ initiative. This service is the first multi-modal daily rail freight service with a capacity of 500 TEUs per week. DP World launched the first-of-its-kind dedicated scheduled Rail Freight Service, ‘SARAL’ – ‘Sustainable, Assured, Reliable, and Agile Logistics’, connecting customers from South Gujarat to the markets in and around the National Capital Region (NCR) in November 2023.

SARAL-2 leverages DP World’s multimodal services by integrating coastal, rail, and truck operations to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and enhance supply chain efficiencies. With a remarkable reduction of~70% in CO2 emissions compared to road transportation, this dedicated service assures efficient cargo transport for customers in Delhi NCR and Chennai.

This innovative second service is a joint initiative by Avana Logistek (part of Unifeeder, a DP World company) and DP World’s rail freight services, to offer customized, reliable, and cost- effective logistics solutions to the trade and businesses with weekly frequency bringing India’s northern markets closer to the southern region. Aligned with PM Gati Shakti National Master plan, SARAL-2 multimodal service will provide seamless multimodal connectivity to various industry clusters in and around the region.

Speaking on the launch of the SARAL-2 service for the south, Adhendru Jain, Vice President, Rail and Inland Terminals, DP World Subcontinent, said, “This second service under the SARAL initiative is part of our continuous pursuit of enhancing and streamlining logistics for our valued customers. Our end-to-end multimodal daily service connects businesses based in Chennai with the NCR region, establishing a two-way connection for efficient, reliable, and sustainable operations. This service will surely benefit solar industries, commodity, FMCG, and domestic retail businesses and EXIM businesses in both regions.”