Adani Ports & SEZ, Gujarat Pipavav Port report higher container volumes in Q1 FY27
AI Summary
Container cargo at Indian ports showed resilience in Q1 FY27, with a 9% year-on-year increase across 12 major ports despite geopolitical tensions in West Asia. Adani Ports reported a significant 15% growth in cargo handled, driven by an 18% rise in container volumes, while Gujarat Pipavav Port saw a modest increase in container throughput. However, both ports experienced declines in rail-linked operations, indicating some challenges in logistics.
Container cargo remained resilient at Indian ports in the first quarter of FY27 despite heightened geopolitical tensions in West Asia, with Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) and Gujarat Pipavav Port reporting growth in container volumes even as the US-Iran conflict raised concerns over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes.
The resilience was reflected across the broader port sector, with container volumes at India’s 12 major ports rising 9 per cent year-on-year during the April-June quarter of FY27, indicating steady demand for containerised trade despite concerns over disruptions to global shipping routes.
APSEZ handled 138.1 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo during the April-June quarter, up 15 per cent year-on-year, driven by an 18 per cent increase in container volumes and a 12 per cent rise in liquid cargo. During June alone, the country’s largest private port operator handled 46.8 MMT of cargo, a 13 per cent increase over the year-ago period, supported by 18 per cent growth in containers and an 11 per cent rise in liquid cargo.
Gujarat Pipavav Port reported a 2.4 per cent increase in container throughput to 168,000 TEUs during the quarter from 164,000 TEUs a year earlier. However, dry bulk cargo declined to 0.52 million tonnes from 0.55 million tonnes, while liquid cargo nearly halved to 0.22 million tonnes from 0.41 million tonnes.
The port’s roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) business remained a bright spot, with vehicle volumes rising to 65,000 units from 42,000 units in the corresponding quarter last year. The resilience in container volumes came despite heightened concerns over maritime trade as tensions in West Asia increased risks to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global trade.
On the logistics side, APSEZ’s rail volumes fell 19 per cent year-on-year to 145,310 TEUs during the quarter. Gujarat Pipavav also reported weaker rail-linked operations, with container trains handled declining to 346 from 447 a year earlier, while containers moved by rail fell to 88,000 TEUs from 99,000 TEUs.
Original Article
Published on Hindu BusinessLine