The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) in Mumbai celebrated World Environment Day with a commitment to sustainability. Chairman Shri Unmesh Sharad Wagh honored the occasion with a tree plantation drive involving 110,000 trees. JNPA’s environmental efforts include eco-friendly buildings, renewable energy sources, and reducing carbon footprint to create a greener, cleaner future.
According to the Iranian Deputy Minister of Highways, India is set to invest $1 billion in the development of Chabahar Port. Negotiations with Indian investors took place three months ago, with the signing of the supply contract for relevant equipment for the port in its final stages. Last month, Iran and India signed a partnership agreement with IPGL to enhance trade links with Central Asia.
Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla celebrated WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY with the theme of Land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience. The event included a planting drive and a visit to the Rotary Forest area. The promise made was to incorporate environmentally conscious practices in daily lives for a sustainable future.
India is facing pressure from trade partners like the EU and the UK to include labour standards in FTAs. The country has made progress in FTAs with the UK, Oman, Australia, and the EU, involving duty cuts on products like agriculture. The government’s role in agricultural exports is expected to become more defensive. The outcome of the UK FTA hinges on upcoming elections, while the EU FTA is in progress.
The Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) and the Uttar Pradesh Transport Department signed an MoU to establish the UP Inland Waterways Authority. This partnership aims to develop and regulate inland waterways in Uttar Pradesh, boost transport efficiency, and drive economic growth. IRS will provide technical support, skill enhancement, and capacity building opportunities for stakeholders.
Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) and Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) have joined forces through a MoU to enhance end-to-end logistics services for customers. Together, they will explore business opportunities by sharing infrastructure and expertise. Sanjay Swarup, CMD of CONCOR, believes this collaboration will help expand operations and offer customisable logistics solutions globally.
Deendayal port led in cargo volume, followed by Paradip and Visakhapatnam ports. Visakhapatnam saw a growth of 22.05%, with Chennai, Cochin, and Mumbai ports following. In May 2024, various ports experienced cargo growth, while Kolkata, Kamarajar, and Mormugao ports faced declines in handling.
Nine ‘Made in India’ Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) have been sent to Cuba from Mundra Port as part of India’s humanitarian assistance. The consignment weighs 90 tonnes and will be utilized by Cuban drug manufacturers to produce essential antibiotics for chronic communicable diseases. This aid reinforces India’s role as the ‘pharmacy of the world’, highlighting the strong ties between the two countries. India has provided disaster relief to Cuba in the past, including during the Covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, India has provided financial assistance to Cuba in various sectors such as agriculture, agro-food, and renewable energy.
The trials for the proposed India-Middle East-EU Economic Corridor (IMEC) will examine feasibility and rail links to ports, identifying gaps in connectivity and solutions. Cargo types planned include containers with further expansion to dry and liquid bulk. Selected ports on the west coast of India will connect to UAE ports for trial runs.
In bulk cargo, the port set a new record by handling 2,235,891 tonnes from 48 vessels, surpassing the previous record. Liquid cargo saw 1,427,223 tonnes of crude oil from 13 tankers, surpassing the March 2024 record. Container trade achieved a throughput of 70,539 TEU, beating the August 2023 record.
India is exploring the possibility of operating Mongla Port in Bangladesh, joining their operations at Chabahar Port in Iran and Sittwe in Myanmar. Delegations and proposals are being exchanged to potentially increase cargo handling capacity and further boost transshipment access for neighboring countries like Nepal and Bhutan.
Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited has secured an order from Ocean Sparkle Limited for the construction of three 70 T bollard pull power ASD Tugs. With successful delivery of two 62 T bollard pull ASD tugs earlier, UCSL continues to show its commitment to quality and timely delivery.
The event, ‘Port of Prosperity’, celebrated JNPA’s growth in the Indian shipping industry. With a historic throughput of 6.43 million TEUs in FY 2023-24, the port has led in digitization, automation, and sustainability. MOUs worth Rs 40,000 Crore were signed for a Greenfield Port. Chairman Wagh highlighted JNPA’s commitment to innovation and community development.
Ancillary industries and local SMEs in Asia will see a surge in business opportunities due to the shift in supply chains. Indian companies like Reliance Industries Ltd. are expected to benefit greatly. The China Plus One strategy will benefit electronics, autos, solar energy, pharmaceuticals, and defense sectors, with India’s exports set to grow significantly by 2030.
The addition of 5MTPA capacity at the Dahej terminal is scheduled for completion by March 2025. In FY-24, the terminal processed 865 TBTU of LNG, a significant increase from the previous year. Petronet also has 5MTPA capacity in Kochi and plans for an LNG terminal at Gopalpur Port, expected to be completed in three years.
