Chennai Port Handles Record 9,929 TEUs in a Day, Achieves Five-Year Post-Pandemic High
Chennai Port Authority achieved a major operational milestone on October 25, 2026, by handling 9,929 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) in a single day. This marks the Port's highest daily container throughput in more than five years since the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting improved cargo-handling efficiency, operational resilience and its continued focus on supporting international trade. The latest figure exceeded the previous post-pandemic daily record of 9,910 TEUs, set on January 27, 2024. It also brings Chennai Port closer to its all-time daily container-handling record of 10,063 TEUs, achieved on January 28, 2017, before the pandemic. Operational Efficiency Drives Record Performance The achievement comes amid continuing uncertainty and disruptions across global maritime logistics. Chennai Port's focus on improving operations, facilitating trade and making better use of existing infrastructure has helped sustain cargo-handling activity despite changing conditions in the international shipping sector. One of the key initiatives supporting the Port's performance is the introduction of an Empty Container Yard, designed to improve container management and make more efficient use of yard space. The Port has also moved forward with the digitalisation of end-to-end operations through ONOP, an initiative intended to simplify procedures and improve coordination among stakeholders. Additionally, Chennai Port has earmarked extra space for transshipment containers affected by the West Asia crisis. The step demonstrates the Port's response to changing cargo flows and its efforts to assist shipping lines and trade partners amid regional disruptions.
V.O. Chidambaranar Port Handles 25.18 Million Tonnes of Cargo, Sets New Operational Records
V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority crossed the 25-million-tonne cargo-handling milestone on 24 October 2026, supported by growth in cargo and container volumes and fresh operational records during FY 2026-27. Up to October 2026, the Port handled 25.18 million tonnes of cargo, registering a 3.01% increase over the 24.44 million tonnes recorded during the corresponding period of the previous financial year. Container traffic also grew by 1.76%, reaching 5.02 lakh TEUs against 4.94 lakh TEUs a year earlier. Among the major cargo categories, coal handling increased by 13.47%, rising from 9,217.90 tonnes to 10,459.94 tonnes. Fertiliser handling climbed to 5.70 lakh tonnes from 2.33 lakh tonnes in the same period last year. On 5 September 2026, the Port achieved its highest-ever single-day cargo handling of 2.17 lakh tonnes, surpassing the previous record of 2.16 lakh tonnes. It also received M.V. CMA CGM THORIUM, measuring 335.23 metres, making it the longest vessel handled at the Port to date. Terminal performance recorded further improvements in September 2026. Tuticorin International Container Terminal (TICT), operating at Berth No. 9, handled 33,771 TEUs across 32 vessels, achieving its highest monthly throughput. Meanwhile, JSW Tuticorin Multipurpose Terminal discharged 43,052 tonnes of coal within 24 hours, exceeding its previous record of 41,853 tonnes.
Piyush Goyal's Netherlands Visit Focuses on India-EU Trade, Investment and Supply Chain Partnerships
CONCOR Partners with Samudera Shipping Line to Expand International Logistics Services
NEW DELHI: Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR), a Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Railways, has entered into an agency agreement with Samudera Shipping Line (India) Pvt. Ltd. to expand international shipping services and strengthen end-to-end logistics support for export-import (EXIM) customers. The agreement brings together CONCOR's extensive multimodal logistics network and Samudera Shipping Line's international shipping capabilities. The partnership aims to grow containerised cargo business, improve access to global shipping networks and create additional opportunities for exporters, importers and other stakeholders across the logistics industry. Under the arrangement, the companies will work together on sales and marketing, cargo bookings, shipping documentation and container management. These activities are expected to improve coordination between inland logistics operations and international maritime transport, helping customers manage cargo movements more efficiently. Strengthening International Shipping and EXIM Operations CONCOR has built a significant presence in India's containerised logistics sector through its network of terminals, rail-based freight services and multimodal logistics operations. By expanding cooperation with international shipping companies, it continues to explore ways to improve links between inland production and consumption centres and overseas markets. The partnership with Samudera Shipping Line is expected to support CONCOR's plans to grow its international shipping business, create more cargo-handling opportunities and deliver better-coordinated logistics solutions for customers. The agreement also offers scope to improve coordination around container availability, cargo bookings and shipping documentation, helping simplify processes across the logistics chain. Such integration is becoming increasingly important as exporters and importers look for reliable, efficient and cost-effective services to meet their international supply chain needs.
India Strengthens Global Maritime Partnerships During South Korea Visit to Boost Shipbuilding
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal held a series of meetings in Busan, South Korea, with maritime institutions, shipbuilders and shipping companies, as well as Cyprus' Shipping Deputy Minister. The discussions focused on building the supply chains, financing networks, technology base and market access needed to support India's shipbuilding ambitions. The talks covered shipbuilding investment, marine equipment manufacturing, maritime finance, port development, shipping, green technology and sustainable ship recycling. The government's broader objective is to establish India as a globally competitive hub for shipbuilding, shipping and maritime services by 2047. "India's shipbuilding landscape is on a fast growth trajectory backed by vision and policy initiatives of the Indian government led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi," Sarbananda Sonowal said. Key takeaways from the day Recycling: Cyprus supported India's efforts to secure European Union recognition for eligible Indian ship-recycling yards. Green Shipping: South Korean manufacturers and Indian shipyards explored partnerships in LPG and LNG cargo tanks, cryogenic structures and large shipbuilding blocks. Finance: Sonowal highlighted opportunities under the Maritime Development Fund (MDF) and Sagarmala Finance Corporation (SMFC) to Korean maritime financiers. Fleet and markets: Discussions explored opportunities after a leading South Korean shipping company expressed interest in Indian-flagged vessels, Made-in-India containers and the upcoming Vadhvan Port. During a bilateral meeting, Cyprus' Shipping Deputy Minister, Marina Hadjimanolis, reaffirmed her country's support for India's efforts to obtain European Union (EU) recognition for eligible Indian ship-recycling facilities. The two ministers also discussed shipping, shipbuilding, maritime investment, seafarer welfare and maritime services. Hadjimanolis said around 25 leading Cypriot companies were expected to visit India in November to explore partnerships in shipping, ship management, maritime technology and related sectors. Both sides welcomed the India-Cyprus strategic partnership and emphasised the importance of converting it into tangible commercial opportunities.
DFCCIL Expands Rail-Based Parcel Logistics with Daily Rapid Cargo Service on Western Freight Corridor
NEW DELHI: The Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) is expanding India's rail-based parcel logistics network through its Joint Parcel Product – Rapid Cargo Service (JPP-RCS). The service provides businesses with a scheduled transportation option for parcels, e-commerce shipments and other time-sensitive cargo. Operating on the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC), JPP-RCS connects New Dadri in Uttar Pradesh with New Motidau and New Ancheli in Gujarat. The route covers approximately 1,200 km in one direction, with a scheduled transit time of around 23 hours. Daily operations are intended to strengthen links between major logistics centres in northern and western India and meet rising demand for efficient parcel transportation. Connecting Businesses to Faster Logistics Solutions JPP-RCS is designed to serve a wide range of customers, including e-commerce companies, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) businesses, retailers, courier operators, logistics aggregators, manufacturers, traders and bulk parcel customers. The service gives businesses a scheduled rail transport option with predictable transit times, helping them plan shipments and distribution more effectively. By moving time-sensitive consignments over long distances, it can support stronger distribution networks and better coordination across supply-chain operations. New Motidau functions as an intermediate loading and unloading point, offering additional flexibility to cargo operators and businesses transporting shipments between regional markets. Integrated Rail-and-Road Connectivity A key feature of JPP-RCS is its combination of long-distance rail transport with road-based first-mile and last-mile delivery. Cargo can be collected from customers, consolidated for rail transportation and then delivered to its final destination through logistics service providers and aggregators. This integrated model can simplify cargo movement, reduce handling complexities and give businesses another option for managing time-sensitive shipments. It also offers scope to extend parcel connectivity beyond the Ahmedabad region, with onward transportation networks linking shipments to destinations such as Surat and Mumbai.
India Faces No US Pressure to Cut Russian Oil Imports, Says Hardeep Singh Puri
India has faced no pressure from the United States to reduce its Russian crude oil imports, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Tuesday at an industry event. “I never felt anything,” Puri said when asked whether India had been pressured to cut its purchases of Russian oil. Puri said oil supplies from the Middle East have been increasing as producers in the region are able to ship more cargoes. He noted that Russia accounted for just 0.2% of India's oil imports before the Ukraine war. Purchases rose sharply after the conflict began, largely because Russian crude was available at discounted prices. India's imports of Middle Eastern crude oil surged in September, returning to pre-war levels, while refiners reduced Russian oil purchases amid strong competition from China, according to ship-tracking data.
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