CARGOCONNECT-JUNE2026 - Flipbook - Page 37
MARITIME LOGISTICS : FOCUS
This growing integration between ports and inland
logistics systems is becoming critical as cargo volumes
continue expanding beyond traditional coastal industrial
zones. According to Itty, “Rail-linked connectivity allows
cargo to move over longer distances with greater predictability, which is critical for both exporters and importers.
It also helps reduce pressure on road infrastructure.”
The operational advantages of rail-linked logistics
networks are increasingly encouraging ports and
logistics operators to extend service capabilities deeper
into the hinterland. Highlighting DP World’s own
logistics initiatives, Itty explains, “The rail connection
from Powarkheda brings central India closer to global
markets, while the Hyderabad–Nhava Sheva reefer
service supports time and temperature sensitive cargo
such as pharmaceuticals.”
These specialised connectivity services are helping
expand the reach of gateway ports beyond coastal cargo
clusters toward inland manufacturing and consumption
regions. As Itty points out, “It extend the port’s reach
deeper into the hinterland and make the overall logistics
chain more e昀케cient.”
At the broader infrastructure level, freight corridors
themselves are increasingly being viewed as economic
enablers rather than purely transportation assets.
Chandna apprises, “Freight corridors and multimodal
linkages connecting industrial clusters and manufacturing hubs located in the hinterlands to ports like JNPT
and Mundra are catalysts of economic growth and
logistics competitiveness.”
This reflects how logistics efficiency is becoming directly linked with industrial expansion, export
competitiveness, and manufacturing-scale development
across regional economies. As Chandna notes, “Freight
corridors are also helping address long-standing congestion challenges across railways and roadways, reducing
transit time and boosting turnaround times.”
The integration between inland logistics systems
and maritime infrastructure is particularly important
because one of India’s long-standing supply chain
challenges has historically been the disconnect between
ports and hinterland manufacturing regions. Kaushik
observes, “One of the biggest gaps in India’s logistics
system has historically been the disconnect between
ports and inland regions.”
According to Kaushik, multimodal infrastructure
expansion with initiatives such as DFCs are now beginning to address this structural ine昀케ciency “by creating
faster, more reliable cargo movement between production
centres and ports.”
This growing connectivity is gradually enabling
a more seamless cargo 昀氀ow between manufacturing
ecosystems and export gateways. “When cargo can
move seamlessly from inland manufacturing hubs
to gateway ports without delays, it improves overall
supply chain e昀케ciency,” Kaushik notes.
The shift toward multimodal freight movement is
also reducing excessive reliance on road transportation,
which has historically contributed to higher logistics
costs and transit unpredictability. Kaushik says, “These
developments reduce dependence on road transport
alone, bringing down costs and transit time variability.”
India is strengthening its
position as a South Asian
logistics hub by reducing
transport times by 40–50%
and lowering logistics costs
to nearly 8% of GDP through
initiatives such as DFCs
and MMLPs. This is facilitating faster trade for inland
neighbours, optimising
industrial supply chains,
and enabling double-stack
container movements.
BIBHUDENDRA MAHARANA
FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, GIVVEN LOGISTICS
40–50%
35
reduction
MMLPs
in transport times
enabled by Dedicated
Freight Corridors
reinforcing
national freight
connectivity
More importantly, inland logistics integration is
becoming central to India’s larger maritime competitiveness narrative. According to Kaushik, “Over time, this
kind of integration strengthens India’s position as a
gateway because it is not just about port capacity, but
how well the hinterland is connected to global trade
routes. It makes the entire system more predictable
and scalable.”
Parallel developments are also emerging through the
expansion of multimodal logistics parks and corridorlinked freight infrastructure. Maharana explains, “DFCs
are connecting to ports and inland logistics, facilitating
fast, cost-e昀昀ective, and sustainable cargo movement.”
The impact of these infrastructure developments is
already becoming measurable across freight economics
and transit performance. “India is strengthening its
position as a South Asian logistics hub by reducing
transport times by 40–50% and lowering logistics costs
to nearly 8% of GDP through initiatives such as DFCs
and the integration of 35 Multi-Modal Logistics Parks
(MMLPs),” Maharana underscores.
According to Maharana, this improvement in
logistics e昀케ciency is also creating wider regional trade
advantages extending beyond India’s domestic supply
chain network, “by facilitating faster trade for inland
neighbours, optimising industrial supply chains, and
enabling double-stack container movements.”
CARGOCONNECT JUNE 2026 | 37
