CARGOCONNECT-JUNE2026 - Flipbook - Page 36
FOCUS : MARITIME LOGISTICS
such as JNPT, which continues to handle a dominant
share of India’s containerised trade volumes. Chandna
notes, “Recently, we have doubled the cargo handling
capacity at our JNPT CFS facility to 3,60,000 TEUs.”
Given JNPT’s strategic role within India’s maritime
network, infrastructure expansion at associated logistics
nodes is becoming increasingly important for sustaining
cargo movement continuity. “As JNPT handles over 50%
of the country’s containerised cargo, due to its deeper
hinterland connectivity, CFSs with enhanced cargo
processing capacity keep the EXIM trade moving at a
steady pace,” Chandna points.
At the same time, logistics reliability itself is
undergoing a conceptual shift across maritime and
distribution ecosystems. Rather than focussing purely on
transit speed, stakeholders are increasingly prioritising
operational consistency, cargo visibility, and planning
accuracy. “Reliability in logistics today is less about
speed alone and more about consistency,” Kaushik
observes, and adds, “Automation and digital integration
have greatly contributed to smooth operations and
have allowed for improved communication between
participants of the supply chain.”
Importantly, technology deployment across ports
and logistics ecosystems is improving cargo predict-
When infrastructure and
technology work together,
a more predictable flow of
cargo is established. In a
way, reliability is becoming
a function of how well systems are connected rather
than how fast individual
processes are. Exporters
and shipping lines are able
to plan better because there
are fewer surprises.
PUSHPANK KAUSHIK
CEO & HEAD OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (INDIAN
SUBCONTINENT, MIDDLE EAST, AND SOUTHEAST ASIA),
JASSPER SHIPPING
2.19
18 to
145 MTPA
million
TEUs
growth achieved in
inland waterways
cargo movement
of capacity added
through the Tuna
Tekra terminal
36 | CARGOCONNECT JUNE 2026
ability and reducing execution uncertainty. Kaushik
notes, “Systems like real-time tracking, automated
yard management, and predictive planning tools have
also reduced delays and improved planning accuracy.”
This predictability is becoming increasingly valuable
for exporters, shipping lines, and logistics operators
navigating tighter inventory cycles and more dynamic
trade flows. According to Kaushik, “Exporters and
shipping lines are able to plan better because there
are fewer surprises.”
“Simply put, when infrastructure and technology
work together, a more predictable flow of cargo is
established. In a way, reliability is becoming a function
of how well systems are connected rather than how
fast individual processes are,” he says.
Furthermore, growing investments in port capacity
are helping prevent cargo congestion despite increasing
trade volumes. As per Kaushik, “The current increase
in capacity at ports and terminals is ensuring that the
increase in cargo volume is not causing congestion.”
India’s maritime ecosystem is also witnessing
wider adoption of digital trade-processing systems
aimed at reducing paperwork, streamlining cargo
handling, and improving overall trade e昀케ciency. As
Maharana rightly explains, “India is positioning itself
as a pivotal regional hub over the next decade through
infrastructure investment and digital adoption. The
use of next-gen Terminal Operating Systems (TOS)
and digital initiatives like the Postal Bill of Export
(PBE) automation system allow for paperless, e昀케cient
processing. These ultimately reduce dwell time and
enhance reliability.”
THE INLAND LOGISTICS
ADVANTAGE EMERGING FROM
DFC AND CORRIDOR EXPANSION
India’s maritime ambitions are increasingly being shaped
not only by investments at ports and terminals, but
by the strengthening of inland logistics connectivity
linking manufacturing centres, industrial clusters,
and cargo gateways across the country. As Dedicated
Freight Corridors (DFCs), multimodal logistics parks,
and corridor-based transport networks continue
expanding, the country is steadily building a more
integrated logistics architecture capable of supporting
faster cargo evacuation, lower transit variability, and
deeper hinterland integration with global trade routes.
The scale of this transformation is becoming increasingly visible across India’s freight ecosystem. The Eastern
and Western DFCs are gradually improving rail-based
cargo movement e昀케ciency while reducing dependence
on conventional mixed-use rail networks. Simultaneously, multimodal connectivity initiatives under PM
Gati Shakti and related infrastructure programmes are
strengthening the linkage between inland production
zones and maritime gateways. Together, these developments are reshaping how cargo moves across India’s
logistics backbone.
From a gateway-port perspective, Itty walks
through Nhava Sheva’s role as a national gateway being
strengthened signi昀椀cantly through better hinterland
connectivity, particularly with DFCs coming into play.
