Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) in Kandla has achieved a record-breaking unloading of 79,780 tonnes of steam coal within a 24-hour window.
The accomplishment marks a substantial leap in turnaround time and throughput capacity, showcasing the port’s readiness to meet the accelerating demands of industrial India and its hinterlands. This unprecedented performance was registered during the berthing of bulk carrier vessel MV KMAX RULER, which completed the discharge of the entire steam coal consignment at one of the port’s mechanised berths. According to port officials, the feat was made possible by the synchronised efforts of logistics stakeholders including vessel handlers, stevedoring teams, and import chain partners. The development signals a broader strategic transformation underway at Kandla Port, as it positions itself as a vital link in India’s energy supply chain.
Situated along the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat’s Kachchh district, Deendayal Port Authority has traditionally played a crucial role in catering to the cargo demands of north-western India, especially the industrial corridors of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and even parts of Central India. The recent record serves as a reaffirmation of its logistical dominance and reaffirms its potential as a high-capacity, high-efficiency maritime gateway. The port’s operational leadership hailed the achievement as a testament to systemic efficiency improvements, advanced cargo handling systems, and workforce discipline. In a post shared on official digital channels, the authority acknowledged the collaboration of various private partners, including the vessel agent and stevedoring companies involved, attributing the success to seamless coordination and a commitment to delivery excellence.
From an infrastructure perspective, the successful unloading operation reflects how India’s major ports are being transformed into globally competitive hubs through strategic investments and public-private partnerships. The Union Government has consistently supported this shift through high-value interventions. Earlier this year, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for several infrastructure augmentation projects at the port, collectively valued at over ₹1,100 crore. These initiatives include deep-draft berths, green energy logistics corridors, and smart cargo tracking solutions — all designed to future-proof the port against the demands of the next two decades. Kandla Port, renamed Deendayal Port Authority, is already India’s largest major port in terms of cargo volume. The current operational success supports the port authority’s ongoing efforts to scale cargo handling capacity to 170 million tonnes in the ongoing financial year, representing an ambitious growth trajectory of over 10 percent year-on-year. According to port officials, the latest milestone sets a precedent that could trigger a redistribution of cargo volumes from other western coast ports towards Kandla, owing to its enhanced processing capabilities and hinterland connectivity.
Experts in port logistics and trade see this development as a vital signal of the Indian maritime sector’s maturity and readiness to anchor the country’s energy security goals. With thermal coal still playing a significant role in powering the industrial and power generation sectors, efficient handling at gateway ports like Kandla reduces congestion, cuts emissions from extended berthing times, and helps ensure uninterrupted fuel supply to critical power corridors. Importantly, the achievement also opens up dialogue on port sustainability and energy transition. While coal remains a central part of the cargo mix, Deendayal Port Authority has also initiated steps towards greening its operations. According to officials, ongoing infrastructure projects include electrification of cargo handling operations, adoption of low-emission port equipment, and shoreline power provisioning for vessels — part of a long-term strategy to decarbonise maritime logistics. The record coal unloading, therefore, serves as a reminder that even traditional fuel commodities can be managed with heightened efficiency while transitioning towards greener port systems.
For the regional economy, the implications are wide-ranging. Improved cargo turnaround means reduced logistic costs, enhanced trade flow to landlocked northern states, and a boost to the steel, cement, and manufacturing clusters that rely on timely coal imports. Furthermore, such achievements are expected to draw higher private investment into port infrastructure, warehousing, and allied industrial corridors, creating jobs and fostering economic inclusion. In an era where urban-industrial ecosystems are increasingly defined by their logistical competitiveness, Kandla’s latest benchmark strengthens its stature not only as a legacy port but as a transformative node in India’s modern infrastructure story. The port’s emphasis on sustainability, resilience, and technology adoption ensures it remains aligned with India’s vision of building net-zero, future-ready cities and industrial zones.
While challenges remain — including ensuring environmental safeguards and improving last-mile connectivity — the record-setting coal unloading offers a blueprint for performance-driven, collaborative infrastructure governance. It is an example of how legacy institutions can reinvent themselves through strategic planning, stakeholder coordination, and purpose-driven innovation.
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