Indian State ports see double-digit growth in October

The Indian Port Association (IPA) saw a comeback in volumes this October. Its provisional results show a growth of 13%, handling more than 70 million metric tons at major ports, reports local news outlets.

The ports were not immune to global pressures resulting from the Russia-Ukraine war and the slowing of the global economy. Sluggish results began in the previous fiscal year despite infrastructure modernisation capacity expansion. The slow growth continued into this fiscal year, when, cargo growth between April and September was around 2.4%. This October's volumes boosted the overall growth for FY24 to almost 4%.

Container volumes, which account for a quarter of all cargo moving through these ports, grew by 19% this October, more than doubling the growth seen in September of 7%.

The Logistics Insider reports that the improvement of operational performance of these ports was seen in FY24, such as faster vessel turnaround times by more than 8% and a decrease in vessel idling of 19%. Average pre-berthing times majorly improved by 59.5%, indicating improved productivity at these ports.

Dedicated Freight Corridor

Indian Railways also saw growth improvements this October, registering almost 8.5% increase in cargo moved.

"It is to be noted that the Indian Railways has recorded the best-ever performance in its recorded history in terms of the output from the Freight Business in the Financial year 2022-23," reports the Statesman.

It adds that the Indian Railways made a sustained effort to improve the ease of doing business as well as improve the service delivery at competitive prices.

Also celebrated in October, was the completion of a 402km of 565km of railway on the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC). The new tracks stretch between New Bhandu to New Sanand (North), connecting key districts - Ahmedabad, Gandhi Nagar and Mahesana- and integrating three stations of Indian Railways, i.e. Sanand North to IR Goraghuma, Sanand North to IR Sanand and Mahesana through connecting lines.

According to reports, it also establishes a direct link to major ports in Gujarat, such as Pipavav, Porbandar and Jamnagar, reducing transit times to Eastern and Northern India.

The WDFC is a dedicated freight line boasting state-of-the-art technology and double electric tracks which would enable moving more volumes at higher speeds.