Category Archives: Shipping

Adani Ports handled rail cargo of over 120 million metric tonnes (MMT), the highest ever, in the 2022-23 financial year and generated a record revenue of ₹ 14,000 crore for Railways, the company said in a statement. The volume of cargo handled by Adani Ports surpassed its previous best of 98.61 MMT in 2021-22, with a year-to-year growth of 22 per cent. Gujarat’s Mundra Port, operated by Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ), handled 15,000 container trains, cementing its position as India’s EXIM gateway. In 2022-23, double-stack container trains handled by Mundra Port grew by 4.3 per cent year-to-year. “Double stack loading of containers on trains ensures transportation in an energy efficient and reliable manner, reducing overall per unit cost and improving customer satisfaction. This demonstrates Mundra Port’s commitment to environmentally friendly operations,” the company said. “The use of rail transport reduces the carbon footprint of freight transport, and the efficient handling of container trains reduces the need for additional truck transport, further reducing carbon emissions,” it added.

Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the National Logistics Portal (marine) in New Delhi. It is a one-stop platform aimed at connecting all the stakeholders of the logistics community using IT. The National Logistic Portal (marine) (NLP) is a project of national importance. This will improve efficiency and transparency by reducing costs and promote the growth of the logistics sector. National Logistics Portal will be a single window for all trade processes of the logistics sector spread across the country covering all modes of transport in the waterways, roadways, and airways to provide a seamless end-to-end logistic service coverage.

The state government will soon prepare Odisha Maritime Perspective Plan (OMPP) and Odisha Ports Capacity Augmentation Plan (OPCAP) as part of its newly formulated Port Policy 2022 for the development of ports and improving cargo handling capacities. Both OMPP and OPCAP would be prepared after studying the maritime ecosystem involving ports, hinterland potential, cargo evacuation, port connectivity, environmental enhancement and development of the coastal communities, said official reports. Odisha handled around 160 MTPA of cargo in 2021-22, with the major port of Paradip handling the lion’s share at 116 MTPA. While the focus is to establish newer ports to cater to the increasing cargo volume, equal importance will be accorded to augment the cargo handling capacities of the existing and proposed ports. As per the reports, the state government has already identified 14 potential sites for the development of non-major ports, of which Dhamra and Gopalpur are already functioning. The new policy will facilitate private developers for the development of such non-major ports.

As part of the trial runs for transhipment of cargo to the North-eastern states using Chattogram and Mongla ports to boost connectivity between the two sides, CJ Darcl Logistics Ltd., flagged off cargo ships to the region. Cargo ships are scheduled to follow Kolkata-Chattogram-Sheola and Tamabil-Chattogram-Kolkata routes as part of the trial run. This is part of a bilateral agreement signed in October 2018 for the transit of goods from India via Chattogram and Mongla ports in Bangladesh (ACMP). The cargo, Steel TMT bars, for the container ships are for Tata Steel Ltd. The trial run may lead the way for regular movement of cargo via Bangladesh ports to Indian North-east region, which will help to lower transportation costs and develop infrastructure in the port region, including creation of direct and indirect employment. The vessel may return to Chattogram Port within three days of its departure. Post unloading, the goods will be sent to Assam by road through the Sheola Land Port in Sylhet.

ATA Freight has invested in new technologies to increase the quality it offers to its global customers with an effective and efficient transportation approach than traditional transportation. Erkan Aksoy, General Manager, ATA Freight Türkey said the transportation solutions will be specific to the textile industry and the digitalisation journey of the company. “ATA Freight has significant experience in the storage, packaging, repackaging and transportation of textiles, carpets, electronics, shoes, and food products; disclosed that they can transport with hanger containers and trucks adapted for textile industry. We offer special warehouse solutions for the textile industry,” Aksoy added. 

Under the Sagarmala scheme, the government is planning to launch a ferry service between Karaikal Port and Kankesanthurai Port in Sri Lanka this year, Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy told the Assembly on August 22.  Presenting the Budget of Rs 10,696.61 crore for 2022-23, Rangasamy also said that under the Sagarmala scheme, it was proposed to commence commercial cargo handling operation in Puducherry Port in association with Chennai Port Trust this year. “It is proposed to invite EoI from firms for operating passenger and cargo ship and promoting other allied activities in Puducherry Port,” he said.

MSC India transported heaviest ever breakbulk parcel moved by container ship from India, surpassing MSC’s previous record. It loaded 140-ton transformer on MSC Regina from the port of Mundra, India recently. The transformer is destined for a greenfield power transmission development project in Zambia. MSC’s previous heavy-lift record was for the loading of a 115-ton transformer in 2018 at Port of Nhava Sheva. India is catching up with countries such as China, Germany, South Korea, and the USA, where pieces of more than 200 tons have already been loaded successfully on container vessels. Lifting gears were used to make this a successful loading using the right combination of special equipment. Putting onboard a 140-ton parcel is a substantial process and requires immense focus and precision. “We extend a special note of thanks to members of the team at Adani Mundra Terminal who extended their cooperation as always. This entire operation was completed in the allotted berthing window, enabling us to maintain the vessel’s service schedule. The success of this operation has opened new doors for MSC to also cater to the heavy cargo category on container ships,” cited a press release.

Before the agreement allowing India to utilise the Chittagong and Mongla ports in neighbouring Bangladesh for trade comes into effect, the Kolkata port will conduct four trial runs, an official said. The effort will increase traffic on inland waterways using the Indo-Bangla Protocol route. The 13th India-Bangladesh Joint Group of Customs (JSC) meeting, held in March, is when the decision to undertake trial runs was made, as per Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port official. He said it was decided ships may transport cargo for both Bangladesh and India’s northeastern states. “Test runs must be completed within six months, and we have been asked to conduct them. All destinations are in Bangladesh,” SMP chairman Vinit Kumar said. The trial runs will be conducted on following routes—Mongla to Tamabil (a steep location in Bangladesh’s Sylhet), Tamabil to Chittagong, Chittagong to Sheola (a land border) and Mongla to Bibirbazar. 

Kandla Port (Deen Dayal Port Authority) in Gujarat is the first port in India to have 5G Telecom facilities as part of the central government’s efforts to beef up infrastructure in the state. Major ports of the country have been linked the dedicated freight corridor so that goods could reach the North Indian hinterland within hours. The project will help the port to fulfill its vision of becoming an efficient mega port by experimenting on new automation processes on 5G networks to improve cargo handling. The Kandla port has thus become the only port (minor, major or private) to be 5G ready before the planned launch of 5G network in the country. To process the infrastructure the department of telecom (DoT) officials visited the Gujarat port along with officials of telecom service providers and infra providers i.e. Indus Towers, Vodafone, Jio, Airtel and BSNL on April.

Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) and Ayush, reaffirmed India’s commitment to utilising Iran’s Chabahar Port to maximise maritime logistical opportunities with the Central Asian region. The multi-modal logistical corridor is the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), will be connected via the bustling Shahid Beheshti Port at Chabahar in Iran. This will reduce the government’s maritime logistical expenses, which will increase trade between the two regions. The minister was speaking on Chabahar Day. He said the government was engaging with high-level diplomatic group from Central Asian nations in Mumbai in this connection.