CARGOCONNECT-JANUARY2025 - Flipbook - Page 90
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India launches major push for inland waterways
cargo movement with new 'Jalvahak' scheme
T
he Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways has
unveiled the "Jalvahak"
scheme to incentivise long-haul
cargo transportation via National
Waterways 1 (Ganga), 2 (Brahmaputra), and 16 (Barak). The scheme
o昀昀ers reimbursements of up to
35% of operational costs for cargo
owners transporting goods over
300 km. This initiative, designed
to reduce logistics costs, decongest road and rail networks, and
promote eco-friendly transport,
is valid for three years.
Fixed Day Scheduled Sailing
Services were simultaneously
launched, with vessels MV Trishul,
MV AAI, and MV Homi Bhaba
departing from Kolkata. Routes
include Kolkata–Patna–Varanasi
on NW 1 and Kolkata–Pandu
(Assam) via the Indo Bangladesh
Protocol Route on NW 2, ensuring
timely delivery.
The waterways sector is witnessing unprecedented growth,
with cargo volumes increasing
from 18.07 million MT in 2013–14
to 132.89 million MT in 2023–24.
By 2047, a target of 500 million
MT cargo movement has been
set. These developments aim
to strengthen India’s inland
waterways network, making it
a key player in sustainable and
cost-e昀昀ective logistics.
NPG reviews infrastructure projects to boost
India’s multimodal connectivity
T
he 85th meeting of the Network Planning
Group (NPG) under PM GatiShakti evaluated
昀椀ve critical infrastructure projects, comprising
two railway expansions and three highway development projects, aimed at enhancing multimodal
connectivity and addressing last-mile connectivity
gaps. These initiatives, spanning Uttar Pradesh,
Jharkhand, Odisha, Rajasthan, and the India-Nepal
border, promise to bolster logistical efficiency,
streamline freight movement, and unlock economic
opportunities.
Key rail projects, such as the Dangoaposi-Jaroli
and Burhwal-Gonda Kacheri expansions, will
augment iron ore evacuation, improve connectivity
across Eastern and Northern India, and facilitate
the movement of key goods like coal and fertilizers.
Meanwhile, highway upgrades, including the
Barabanki-Bahraich and Kanpur-Kabrai corridors,
will enhance regional integration, improve trade,
and connect key nodes like rail stations and airports.
The comprehensive infrastructure plan aligns
with the government’s vision of integrated and
sustainable development, strengthening India's
position as a hub for logistics and trade.
Allcargo Terminals upgrades Kolkata CFS with
capacity and infrastructure
A
llcargo Terminals has
boosted the capacity of its
Container Freight Station
(CFS) in Kolkata, West Bengal,
to meet growing rice export
demand. Spanning 17 acres, the
facility now handles over 1,200
TEUs of rice monthly, primarily sourced from Asansol and
Bardhaman districts. Enhanced
capabilities are expected to drive
a throughput capacity increase
of over 25%.
Equipped with advanced
cargo-handling tools like reach
stackers, the CFS ensures quick
loading, unloading, and container
90 | CARGOCONNECT JANUARY 2025
clearance. Customised services
include same-day transit-toport solutions for Kolkata and
Haldia ports using container
trailers. Between October and
November, TEU volumes surged
by over 60%. Plans to integrate
a conveyor belt system are
underway, further optimising
cargo handling processes. These
upgrades position the facility to
accommodate growing export
needs e昀케ciently.
Zim and MSC
forge alliance to
bolster India-US
connectivity
carrier Zim has partIitssraeli
nered with MSC to strengthen
services on Indian trades,
introducing a direct weekly
route from West India (Nhava
Sheva and Mundra) to the US
East Coast. This marks a significant shift for Zim, which previously relied on transshipment
from Colombo. Additionally,
Zim will join MSC’s upgraded
Asia-America service, Z7S, as a
slot partner. The revised route
includes Colombo, offering
enhanced trade connectivity.
MSC's network expansion
coincides with the anticipated
launch of Adani Group’s CWIT
terminal in Colombo, operational by Q1 2025. Meanwhile,
MSC has extended its Jade and
Dragon services to Vizhinjam,
India, marking the debut of
weekly mainline connectivity
from the deepwater terminal.
Delhi Airport
becomes India’s
first to connect 150
destinations
elhi International Airport
Dbecoming
(DEL) has set a record,
India’s first airport
to connect 150 destinations,
affirming its role as a leading
global aviation hub. The
milestone was achieved with
the launch of Thai AirAsia X’s
direct flights between Delhi and
Bangkok-Don Mueang (DMK).
Delhi Airport has recently added
20+ international destinations,
including Phnom Penh, Bali,
Calgary, Washington, and
Tokyo. Long-haul connectivity
accounts for 88% of India’s
routes via DEL, hosting 56%
of all long-haul flights from
India.The airport serves as a
vital transit hub, connecting 4
million domestic passengers to
international routes annually.
