Category Archives: Shipping

Aiming to enhance operational efficiency and compliance with Indian customs’ regulations, Master Marine Services (MMSPL) has introduced the MMD3 SCMTR Digital Portal. The solution has been developed to streamline compliance with the Sea Cargo Manifest and Transshipment Regulations (SCMTR). The MMD3 SCMTR Digital Portal is a comprehensive tool that allows businesses to Ensure compatibility with SCMTR specifications mandated by Indian Customs, and generate SAM, SEI, SDM, SDN, and CSN (including SCE and SCX) seamlessly. “Our in-house development of the MMD3 SCMTR Digital Portal is a testament to our dedication to innovation and customer satisfaction. With this tool, our customers can now navigate SCMTR compliance with confidence and ease. This breakthrough innovation not only underscores MMSPL’s technical prowess but also demonstrates its commitment to providing tailored solutions for the logistics and shipping industry,” Xerrxes Master, Managing Director, MMSPL, said.

Adani Gangavaram Port has announced the launch of two state-of-the-art Economic Grab Ship Cranes, marking a significant milestone as the first in India. These advanced electric cranes are designed to handle multi-purpose operations, efficiently managing, loading and unloading processes. The introduction of these highly advanced cranes will elevate the standards of operational efficiency and sustainable practices at the port. By integrating the latest technology and processes, the port aims to strengthen its position as a leader in trade services. “We are extremely delighted on the induction of the first Economic Grab Ship Cranes in India, and it is a witness to our commitment to enhancing efficiency and better serving our customers. We continue to invest in state-of-the-art technologies that improve efficiency, ensure sustainability, and enhance overall user experience. Our dedication to bringing the best processes and technology to serve the trade remains steadfast, and these cranes are a witness to our vision of becoming a leader in India’s port and logistics sector,” Adani Gangavaram Port Limited management said.

APSEZ (Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone) has announced handling of 36 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo in November 2024. The major contribution in the cargo volumes is from containers, which saw a 21 per cent growth from the corresponding period in 2023. The Adani Ports have handled a total of 293.7 MMT of cargo on a year-to-date (YTD) basis, with a YoY growth of 7 per cent. The growth is mainly driven by containers (+19 per cent), and liquid & gases (+7 per cent). On the other hand, APSEZ also announced that its logistics rail volume on the YTD basis has surged 10 per cent YoY.

With an aim to foster meaningful connections and explore avenues for collaboration in sectors essential to both regions, Port of Antwerp-Bruges, with a delegation led by Vice President Luc Arnouts, is organizing a high impact roadshow to India in collaboration with Flanders Investment & Trade. The road show is set to kick-off in India from November 18 to 22 in three major cities featuring New Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai. Through this initiative, the firm aims to deepen the relationship with India, one of its vital trading partners. The initiative will provide opportunities for engaging with key industry leaders, site visits to major Indian conglomerates, and thought-provoking panel discussions and roundtables. Tailored B2B meetings and networking events, coordinated with local chambers of commerce. The roadshow itinerary includes meetings with Indian energy giants. The aim is to strengthen these relationships and become a critical gateway for India’s green energy exports to Europe.  

Adani Gangavaram Port sets a new record of timber log handling on consecutive days of handling 4,392 metric tons and 4,206 metric tons of timber logs for the vessel MV Mangusta. The port surpassed its previous record of 2,900 metric tons in a single day by 52% on growth. The port has been able to surpass its previous records as management has made strategic investments in infrastructure for efficient cargo handling and railway facilities. The port expects to set further operational records in FY24 and deliver Industry Best Services to its customers. Adani Gangavaram Port’s operational expertise and the capability of its advanced infrastructure, which enables high productivity and prioritizes safety. The port team’s dedication and efficiency underscore the facility’s ongoing commitment to optimizing performance and supporting the growing demands of the shipping and logistics industry. Adani Gangavaram Port said, “We are extremely delighted on this achievement. We at Adani Gangavaram Port always strive to provide the best service to our customers. We offer substantial economic benefits to Indian importers combined with highly efficient port operations and evacuation systems with faster turnaround time & delivery. We are extremely happy to see the trade derive benefits from the modern deep-water infrastructure at the port.”

Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) has reported an 11.86 per cent YoY rise in container traffic for the month of October. The container traffic for the month stood at 6,14,651 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units, whereas the port handled 5,49,487 TEUs of containers in the corresponding period of 2023. In October 2024, the port saw a 2.26 per cent YoY increase in the container handling capacity. The total cargo handled in the month reached 7.62 million tonnes.  

With the handling of more than 65 million metric tonnes (MMT), Major ports recorded a cargo demand growth of 6 per cent in the month of September. The demand growth is primarily driven by crude oil cargo shipments and a surge in miscellaneous commodities. There was a 9 per cent growth in EXIM cargo and a decline of 1.9 per cent in coastal cargo during previous month. As of now, the Major Ports have handled 414 MMT of cargo in the Fiscal Year 25, with a growth of 5 per cent Year-on-Year. Coastal cargo reached 93 MMT in FY 25, recording a 4 per cent YoY growth.

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) signed MoU with Rorix Holdings, Abu Dhabi-based global trade facilitation and finance company, to integrate technologies into their logistics and trading platforms. The MoU was signed during the UAE-India Business Forum. As per APSEZ’s stock exchange filing, both companies are aiming “to leverage the strengths of both organisations to integrate advanced technologies into their logistics and trading platforms and create synergies that will transform the commodities market ecosystem”. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, executive chairman of Rorix Holdings, stated, “By combining our expertise in regulated financial platforms and market infrastructure with Adani Ports’ strength in logistics and port management, we aim to revolutionise the way commodities are traded, stored, and managed.”

Sarbananda Sonowal, a BJP veteran from Assam, took the oath as a Union Cabinet Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways in the Modi government for the third time. The 61-year-old’s clean image, oratorial skills and popularity among the masses in Assam ensured that he got another stint at the Centre for the third time.  Sonowal was the minister of state (independent charge) of youth affairs and sports in the first Modi government from 2014 to 2016, when he resigned to head the first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led coalition in Assam.

According to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, major ports collectively handled 12.310 million TEUs, up 8.06% from FY23’s 11.392 million TEUs. Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority led the way by managing 6.43 million TEUs, over half of the total volume. Petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL) cargo increased 5.06% to 245.990 mt from the previous year’s 234.137 mt. Iron ore shipments surged 32.68% to 61.031 mt, raw fertilizer shipments rose 13.56% to 9.406 mt, and coking coal and other coal movements increased 10.24% to 64.939 mt. Moreover, Paradip Port Authority led cargo handling among major ports, reaching 145.379 mt in FY24, up 7.40% from the previous year’s 135.362 mt. India’s Ports and Shipping sector has been on a remarkable upswing lately. Whether it’s the external trade, expanding ports’ capacity, or the 7,517 kilometers of coastline dotted with over 200 ports, the growth has been undeniable. And recently, the performance of the 12 major ports under the Union government’s ownership saw an uptick in cargo handling. In FY24, these ports collectively managed a staggering 819.227 million tonnes (mt) of cargo, marking a 4.45 percent increase from the previous year’s 784.305 mt. With India’s ports handling approximately 95% of the nation’s international trade volume, this surge in growth signals a new era of efficiency for the industry. What 2024 has seen so far?