Editor’s Synopsis
- 27% Y-o-Y growth in cargo volumes during October 2023
- In less than 7 months of FY24, Mundra crossed 100 MMT of cargo
- With 4.2 million TEUs of container cargo on YTD basis, port headed towards another benchmark
- Targeting 200 MMT milestone in cargo volumes during FY25
Ahmedabad, 5 November 2023: Mundra Port, the flagship of APSEZ, has set another record by handling 16.1 MMT of cargo in October, the highest-ever volume by any port in India. It is the largest port in the country with 102 MMT of cargo handled on year to date (YTD) basis, a good 9% Y-o-Y growth. The port crossed the 100 MMT mark in 210 days, surpassing the record of 231 days last year.
Mundra witnessed double-digit growth on a Y-o-Y basis for containers (+10%) and liquids and gas (+14%). It achieved another milestone of handling 4.2 million TEUs of containers in just 203 days, a feat achieved in 225 days in the previous financial year. It added new cargo types such as Hydrolysis Pi Gas (HPG) to its portfolio. On YTD basis, it docked over 2,480 ships and serviced over 11,500 rakes.
Due to its strategic location, Mundra offers some of the best facilities. Given its capability to maintain deep draft, it is well-equipped to handle large vessels. In July’23, it berthed one of the largest ships ever – MV MSC Hamburg, 399 m long and 54 m wide, with a carrying capacity of 15,908 TEUs and a current reported draught of 12 m. In 2021, it berthed the 13,892 TEU APL Raffles, the largest container vessel to call at any Indian port. The Singapore-registered vessel is 397.88 m long and 51 m broad.
Mudra Port enjoys a strong connectivity with the hinterland, particularly to the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC). All the major rail lines and ICDs connecting Mundra port are now capable of handling double stack container trains. Over the past years, the port has experienced a material improvement in the double stack co-efficient. During the period under consideration, Mundra received the first train from Garhi Harsaru ICD on the newly electrified route as also double-stack services from ICD Dadri through WDFC. These ICDs are in addition to the already existing ICD Patli.
Given the cargo volume growth rate, Mundra Port is targeting 200 MMT in FY25. With 90% of India’s trade by volume conducted via the maritime route, its improved infrastructure means better logistics performance and higher seaborne trade and economic growth, which is key to India becoming a $5 trillion economy.
Annexure 1
Timeline of Mundra Port
- 1998: Berths 1 and 2 turn operational
- 1999: Berths 3 and 4 join operations
- 2001: Rail connectivity established, making Mundra a key hub on the national railway grid
- 2003: Container Terminal 1 commences operations
- 2005: Operations expand with SPM and Container Terminal 2
- 2007-2013: The addition of T2, an auto terminal, West basin, and T3
- 2019: LNG, LPG operations commence