Sailing Beyond Limits with a Historic 40-Ship Feat
Deendayal Port Authority Kandla: Sailing Beyond Limits with a Historic 40-Ship Feat
The maritime world is abuzz with news from India’s west coast, where the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) Kandla has set a new national record for operational port efficiency. On November 17, 2025, DPA Kandla achieved an extraordinary historic milestone, handling an astonishing 40 ships within a mere 24-hour period. This remarkable display of operational prowess and exceptional coordination not only surpasses their previous best of 38 ships (set in December 2023) but also solidifies their position as a pivotal player in India’s maritime sector. This blog post delves into the specifics of this achievement, exploring the strategies that enabled DPA Kandla to truly go “sailing beyond limits.”
Unprecedented Efficiency: A New National Benchmark
The Deendayal Port Authority’s achievement of handling 40 vessels in 24 hours is more than just a number; it’s a testament to their unwavering commitment to operational excellence and teamwork. This feat has been widely lauded as a new national benchmark in port efficiency, showcasing how dedicated staff, from marine operations to traffic management and cargo handling teams, can achieve incredible results. Shri Sushil Kumar Singh, IRSME, Chairman of DPA, expressed profound gratitude to all stakeholders – port users, trade unions, employees, and workers – whose collective efforts made this possible. It highlights a focus on continuous improvement, ensuring that DPA Kandla remains at the forefront of economic growth and trade facilitation for the nation.
Pillars of Operational Prowess: How DPA Kandla Achieves Peak Performance
Such unprecedented efficiency doesn’t happen by chance. DPA Kandla employs a multifaceted approach to optimize its operations. Their state-of-the-art infrastructure includes deep-draft berths, modern container terminals, and advanced cargo handling systems. Crucially, stevedores work 24/7, ensuring continuous operations unhindered by holidays, a significant factor in achieving high vessel throughput.
A key initiative driving this success is the ambitious target of “Berthing on Arrival,” designed to:
- Eliminate vessel waiting times
- Boost productivity
- Significantly reduce vessel turnaround time
Furthermore, DPA Kandla actively engages with port users and stakeholders, continuously gathering suggestions to streamline procedures and enhance overall efficiency. Significant investments are bolstering their capabilities, including:
- Construction of a new deep-draft multi-cargo berth with an 18 MMT per annum capacity for dry bulk, project cargo, and break-bulk.
- A new 2.3 million TEU container terminal under a public-private partnership.
- Crucial dredging of access channels to accommodate larger vessels.
- Funded four-lane access roads to ensure efficient cargo evacuation.
These strategic investments are vital in supporting India’s burgeoning trade volumes, reflecting a proactive approach to maritime sector development.
Diverse Cargo and Sustainable Futures: DPA’s Broader Impact
Beyond its current location, Deendayal Port is strategically expanding its influence by managing terminals in other states like Maharashtra and Karnataka. This expansion aims to replicate its proven efficiency and help decongest existing ports, further strengthening India’s maritime sector.
DPA Kandla handles a wide and diverse array of cargo, primarily focusing on dry bulk and liquid cargo. It serves as a critical hub for essential commodities such as petroleum, chemicals, coal, fertilizers, and salt. Its substantial petroleum and chemical handling capabilities are particularly vital in supporting India’s energy sector. In the financial year 2023–24, the port handled an impressive 132.3 million metric tonnes of cargo, with liquid and bulk cargoes forming the majority. Approximately 60% of the port’s cargo comprises petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL), while the remainder includes timber, salt exports, food grains, edible oils, chemicals, and container exports.
In a significant stride towards environmental responsibility, DPA is dedicated to green initiatives. They are setting up India’s first indigenous electrolyzers for a 1 MW green hydrogen plant, marking a substantial move towards sustainable port operations. Other environmental protection measures include:
- Maintaining a Green Zone
- Implementing Inter-Terminal Transfer of tractor-trailers
- Establishing a Centralized Parking Plaza
- Providing shore power supply to vessels
- Utilizing LED lighting to reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint
This forward-thinking approach ensures that DPA Kandla not only achieves record-breaking efficiency but also contributes to a more sustainable future for global trade.
Conclusion: A Beacon of Progress in India’s Maritime Sector
The Deendayal Port Authority Kandla’s achievement of handling 40 ships in 24 hours is a powerful declaration of its capabilities and future aspirations. This historic milestone is not merely a number but a reflection of meticulous planning, continuous investment in state-of-the-art infrastructure, and the unparalleled dedication of its workforce. As DPA Kandla continues its journey, sailing beyond limits and setting new national benchmarks in port efficiency, it reinforces its critical role in India’s economic growth and positions the nation as a formidable force in global trade. This commitment to operational excellence and sustainable port operations ensures a prosperous and efficient future for India’s maritime sector.
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