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Hindalco and Vizag Terminal to Build India’s First Fully-Automated Alumina Facility at Visakhapatnam Port

In a landmark move for India’s logistics and metals sectors, Vizag Multipurpose Terminal—a joint venture between India Potash Ltd and J M Baxi Ports & Logistics—has partnered with Hindalco Industries Ltd., the metals flagship of the Aditya Birla Group, to develop the nation’s first fully automated and sustainable alumina handling terminal.

Key Highlights:

  • đź“Ť Location: EQ-07 berth, Visakhapatnam Port
  • 🔧 Nature of Facility: Fully mechanised alumina handling terminal—first of its kind in India
  • đźš› ➡ đźš‚ Transport Shift: From truck-based to rail-based logistics for alumina from Hindalco’s Odisha refinery
  • 📦 Annual Capacity: 1 million tonnes of alumina
  • 🌱 Sustainability Impact:
  • Dust-free operations
  • Fully automated unloading, storage, and ship loading
  • Expected reduction of ~7,350 MTCOâ‚‚e in annual greenhouse gas emissions
  • 🦺 Operational Benefits
  • Faster turnaround times
  • Safer, fully mechanised cargo handling
  • Predictable and scalable logistics infrastructure
With cabotage steadily gaining traction in India’s multimodal mix, VOC Port’s latest move signals an aggressive push to claim a larger slice of coastal container flows before peak season kicks in.

Strategic Implications:

This project is more than just a terminal—it’s a bold step toward next-generation port infrastructure aligned with India’s green logistics goals and growing trade ambitions. It marks a strong commitment to:
  • Sustainable port operations
  • Enhanced export capabilities for Indian industries
  • Upgraded logistics infrastructure on the eastern coast

About Vizag Multipurpose Terminal:

Vizag Multipurpose Terminal Private Limited (VMTPL) is a joint venture between Indian Potash Limited and J M Baxi Ports and Logistics Private Limited. It operates under a Concession Agreement with the Visakhapatnam Port Authority for the mechanization of the EQ-07 berth.
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VOC Port Rolls Out Fresh Concessions to Power India’s Coastal Container Trade

V. O. O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port has sweetened the deal for coastal operators running direct container services from Gujarat or West Bengal to Tuticorin.
Under a brand‑new incentives scheme, container vessels that off‑load at least half of their total boxes at VOC Port will enjoy deep cuts in Vessel Related Charges (VRC) for the next six months:

Annualised Voyages

VRC Rebate

Up to 24 calls

40% off

25 – 39 calls

45% off

40 – 50+ calls

50% off

The rebates apply pro‑rata if a service runs for less than a full year, the port clarified.

Why it matters

  • Bigger savings, bigger loops: The sliding‑scale discount rewards frequency, nudging coastal carriers to schedule more rotations and deepen east‑west coastal connectivity.
  • Cargo concentration : By insisting on a 50 % discharge threshold, VOC Port ensures most of the value‑added activity—and accompanying jobs—stays local.
  • Countdown clock : The window is tight—April 14 to October 13 2025—so operators eyeing new loops will need to lock in tonnage fast.
With cabotage steadily gaining traction in India’s multimodal mix, VOC Port’s latest move signals an aggressive push to claim a larger slice of coastal container flows before peak season kicks in.
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India’s Exports Hit All-Time High of USD 820 Billion in FY 2024-25

India’s exports have reached a new milestone, crossing USD 820 billion in FY 2024-25 — a 6% increase over the previous fiscal, according to the Commerce Ministry.

Key Highlights :

  • Total exports (goods + services) rise from USD 778 billion in 2023-24 to USD 820+ billion in 2024-25.
  • Growth achieved despite global headwinds, including geopolitical tensions and economic slowdowns in key markets.
  • Merchandise exports (Apr–Feb): USD 395.63 billion (vs USD 395.38 billion YoY).
  • Services exports (Apr–Feb): USD 354.90 billion (vs USD 311.05 billion YoY).
  • Final FY 2024-25 trade figures to be released on April 15.
During a meeting with export promotion councils and industry bodies, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal commended exporters for their resilience and reaffirmed the government’s support amid challenges like rising U.S. tariffs.
Exporters have urged continued proactive measures to sustain momentum in an evolving global trade environment.
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India’s Growth Story Continues: ADB Projects 6.7% GDP Growth for FY26

India’s economy is set to grow by 6.7% in FY2025-26, driven by strong domestic demand, rising rural incomes, and easing inflation, according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) April 2025 outlook. Growth is expected to edge up to 6.8% in FY27, supported by tax incentives, infrastructure investments, and robust services and agriculture sectors.
While the RBI has trimmed its growth forecast to 6.5% for the current year, it has also cut the repo rate to 6% to support the economy—its second rate cut this year.

Key growth drivers include :

  • Boosted consumer confidence from lower inflation (4.3% projected for FY26)
  • A rebound in manufacturing
  • Expansion in health, education, and business services
  • Government’s â‚ą100 billion push for urban infrastructure

Risks remain from global uncertainties, including new US tariffs and volatile commodity prices, but India’s stable macro fundamentals offer a strong buffer.

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India’s Export Engine Keeps Humming in FY25

Logistics Companies globally are facing the crunch when it comes to IT Infrastructure Design and Deployment. The Management is mainly looking to solve their equations like.

Highlights in a flash

  • Goods: â‚ą37.44 lakh cr (US $437.4 bn). Electronics stole the show, while rice, coffee, tobacco, and pharma kept the boxes moving.
  • Services: â‚ą32.83 lakh cr (US $383.5 bn), jumping 12 % on surging IT‑BPM, cloud, and AI projects.
  • Star performers:
  • Electronics ₹3.3 lakh cr
  • Pharma ₹2.61 lakh cr
  • Rice ₹1.07 lakh cr
  • Coffee & tobacco added flavour.

Trade pulse

Imports climbed to ₹78.34 lakh cr (US $915.2 bn), widening the merchandise deficit to ₹24.21 lakh cr. A hefty services surplus of ₹16.17 lakh cr cushioned the blow.

Top lanes

  • Outbound favourites : USA, UK, Japan, UAE, France.
  • Key suppliers : UAE, China, Thailand, USA, Russia

Logistics takeaway

Rising high‑value electronics and pharma cargo means tighter capacity and premium handling demand. Stay nimble on US and Japan lanes, and watch for policy tweaks aimed at trimming the goods deficit.
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VOC Port Authority Rolls Out 24/7 Direct Port Entry—Turbo‑Charging Tamil Nadu’s Exports

Imagine skipping the long detour through a Container Freight Station and rolling straight up to the ship. That’s exactly what exporters can do now that V O Chidambaranar (VOC) Port Authority has switched on its brand‑new Direct Port Entry (DPE) lane for factory‑stuffed, e‑sealed containers.

Why this matters ?

Old Way

New DPE Way

Truck waits at a CFS for customs checks

Truck drives straight to the terminal, 24/7

Extra handling fees & paperwork

One touchpoint, lower cost

Longer dwell time on the docks

Faster gate‑in → quicker ship loading

By pairing DPE with its existing Direct Port Delivery (DPD) programme, VOC Port is gunning for minimal dwell time—the holy grail of port efficiency.

The fine print

  • Service charge:
    ₹135 + GST (20‑ft) | ₹162 + GST (>20‑ft)
    Payable by customs brokers
    (Trade Notice, 10 April)
  • Capacity check :
    Two container terminals—Dakshin Bharat Gateway Terminal & Tuticorin International Container Terminal—jointly handle 1.35 million TEUs.
  • Growth snapshot (FY ’25) :
    7,95,222 TEUs, up 6.4 % YoY.

Big picture

Tamil Nadu’s exporters—from automotive parts to agri‑produce—stand to shave hours (sometimes days) off their supply‑chain clocks. And with nearly 8 lakh TEUs already moving through VOC last year, the port’s “direct‑to‑deck” shortcut could be a logistics game‑changer for South India.
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Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024 sails through Lok Sabha

Why it matters :

India finally has a modern, purpose‑built law for moving cargo along its 7,500‑km coastline—promising cheaper logistics, cleaner transport, and a huge shot in the arm for “Make in India”.

At‑a‑glance highlights :

  • Dedicated coastal‑trade law replaces 1958 provisions with a future‑ready framework.
  • Indian ships, fewer hurdles: general trading licence scrapped for desi vessels.
  • Foreign ships, clearer rules : must obtain a coastal‑trade licence from the DG Shipping.
  • National Coastal & Inland Shipping Strategic Plan—updated every two years—to sync routes, traffic forecasts, ports and waterways.
  • Charterer pool widened : Indian citizens, NRIs, OCIs and LLPs can now hire foreign tonnage.
  • Integrated networks : mandates seamless links between seaports and inland waterways.
  • One‑stop National Database for transparency and data‑driven decisions.
  • Jobs & investment : expected surge in shipbuilding, port services and maritime manpower.
  • Greener logistics : shifts bulk cargo from congested highways/rails to low‑emission ships.

What changes on the ground ?

Then (Merchant Shipping Act, 1958)

Now (Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024)

Coastal trade governed by scattered clauses

Single, holistic statute dedicated to cabotage

Generic vessel‑licensing focus

End‑to‑end ecosystem: licensing, planning, data, enforcement

No strategic roadmap

Biennial national plan + state representation

Limited charter options

Wider charterer base, encourages private participation

Penalty provisions with jail terms

De‑criminalised, monetary penalties dominate

Big-picture impact

  • Cost advantage: sea freight is up to 60 % cheaper per tonne‑km than road
  • Traffic relief: targets 230 MT of coastal cargo by 2030 (162 MT in 2023‑24).
  • Climate boost: lower COâ‚‚ per tonne‑km helps India inch toward its net‑zero pledge.
  • Regional unlock: coastal–riverine synergy could revive economies in Odisha, Karnataka, Goa and beyond.
  • Security & self‑reliance: larger Indian‑flag fleet cuts dependence on foreign hulls.
“This Bill propels India toward an efficient, sustainable and competitive maritime logistics network, true to the spirit of  Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
— Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister, Ports • Shipping • Waterways
Stay tuned—rules, licences and the first National Coastal & Inland Shipping Strategic Plan should roll out within the next few months. For shippers, port operators and logistics tech players alike, the tide is turning!
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India’s Pharma Juggernaut Powers Ahead

India’s pharmaceutical are still on a roll: pharma exports to the US jumped 14 % in April–Feb FY25, touching US $9.8 billion even off a hefty base, Pharmexcil data shows.
  • America still rules the prescription pad—it soaks up 36.6 % of all Indian pharma shipments.
  • Global lift : Overall pharma exports rose 7 % to US $26.8 billion, putting the full‑year tally on track for ~US $27 billion.
  • Risk radar : With talk of fresh US import tariffs, Indian manufacturers are scouting new frontiers in Europe, Africa, and emerging markets to keep growth humming.
Logistics lens : Expect steady volumes of time‑sensitive, high‑value pharma freight heading west—plus a pivot toward alternative lanes as exporters hedge against tariff risk. Tighten your cold‑chain and compliance game to stay ahead.
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Indian Railways Sets Its Biggest Freight Target Yet: 1.7 Billion Tonnes for FY 2025‑26

Indian Railways has fired the starting pistol on an ambitious race: move 1,702.5 million tonnes of cargo in the next financial year. That’s a hefty 5.2 % jump over the 1,617 MT hauled in FY 2024‑25—and the highest target the Railway Board has ever set.

Why the bold push?

  • Freight is the cash engine. Every additional tonne goes straight to the revenue line, helping the network fund everything from track renewals to shiny new Vande Bharats
  • Coal still rules the rails. With more than half of all wagon space taken up by coal, zones sitting atop India’s mining belt—Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand—wear the revenue crown.
  • Ports are humming. East‑coast gateways like Paradip, Dhamra, Vizag and Gangavaram are shipping out record volumes of iron ore and alumina, and they all lean on rail to keep their yards fluid.
During a meeting with export promotion councils and industry bodies, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal commended exporters for their resilience and reaffirmed the government’s support amid challenges like rising U.S. tariffs.
Exporters have urged continued proactive measures to sustain momentum in an evolving global trade environment.

Zone‑by‑zone bragging rights

  • East Coast Railway (ECoR) leads the pack—again. After topping FY 24‑25 with 259 MT, ECoR has been handed a beefy 275 MT challenge for the year ahead.
  • Three other heavy‑hitters—South East Central, East Central and South Eastern—each get targets north of 200 MT, reflecting their coal and steel corridors.
  • South Central aims for 150 MT, while legacy giants Eastern and Western settle in at 107 MT and 102 MT respectively.
  • The remaining 11 zones will chip in anywhere between 2.5 MT (Konkan) and 86 MT (Central).

The takeaway

If the network delivers, India will edge closer to its vision of shifting freight away from highways and onto greener steel tracks—cutting emissions, unclogging roads and fattening the railway’s wallet all at once. The locomotive is rolling; FY 26 will show whether every zone can keep the wagons—and the revenue—on track.
Posted on

Evergreen Marine Launches CIX7 Service Linking Southeast Asia and East India

Evergreen Marine Corp. (Taiwan) Ltd. is set to launch its new CIX7 service on April 20, 2025, expanding its network with direct connections between Vietnam, Thailand, and East India.

Key Highlights :

  • Launch Date: April 20, 2025
  • First Voyage: Departs Cat Lai Port, Ho Chi Minh → Arrives Chennai on May 4, 2025
  • Round-trip Duration: 28 days (fixed schedule)
  • Joint Operators: Evergreen, Wan Hai Lines, RCL Feeder Pte Ltd, and Bengal Tiger Line
  • Fleet: 4 vessels (2,200 TEU capacity); Evergreen deploying 1 vessel

Port Rotation :

Ho Chi Minh – Laem Chabang – Singapore – Port Kelang (North) – Chennai – Vizag – Singapore – Port Kelang (North) – Singapore – Ho Chi Minh
Evergreen says the CIX7 will enhance service frequency and expand port coverage, reinforcing its commitment to better connectivity between Southeast Asia and India.
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