Vietnam’s Chu Lai Port and RCL Team Up to Launch Direct India Shipping Route

In a strategic move to boost regional trade,Truong Hai International Logistics Limited Liability Company (THILOGI) has partnered with Regional Container Lines (RCL), a leading Thailand-based shipping firm, to launch a direct shipping route between Chu Lai (Vietnam) and India.

Key Highlights:

On May 16,Chu Lai Port welcomed the Chana Bhum, a Singapore-flagged vessel operated by RCL, marking the inaugural voyage on the Chu Lai–India route.

The maiden journey carried nearly 800 containers of import-export cargo including:

Infrastructure Milestone:

On the same day, THILOGI announced the successful dredging of the Ky Ha shipping channel, now capable of handling vessels up to 30,000 DWT.

Chu Lai Port Overview:

India Imports 2.88M Tons of Iron Ore Jan–Apr, Up 76% YoY Amid Domestic Supply Gaps

India’s appetite for imported iron ore continues to grow, even as domestic production hits historic highs. From January to April 2025, the country imported approximately 2.88 million tons of iron ore (including fines and pellets), marking a 76% year-on-year increase, according to trade data reported by Kallanish.

Key Highlights :

Despite a strong domestic mining performance, India’s growing steel sector and periodic supply chain interruptions are prompting a greater reliance on overseas sourcing — especially for key players like JSW Steel.

India Close to Signing Trade Deal with Oman as Gulf Engagement Gains Momentum

India is on the cusp of finalizing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Oman, one of its oldest strategic partners in the Gulf region. The deal is expected to deepen economic ties and open new avenues for trade and investment.
According to The Economic Times, the India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which was formally launched in November 2023, is in its final stages.

“Only a few issues are left to be resolved with Oman and an announcement could be made this month,” a source involved in the negotiations revealed.

Key Trade Highlights :

The economic relationship goes beyond trade. India and Oman have recently updated their Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), aligning it with global standards to facilitate smoother cross-border transactions.

💼 Investment Ties:

🌐 Strengthening Gulf Partnerships

India’s engagement with Oman is part of a broader strategy to enhance economic cooperation across the Gulf:
These developments reflect India’s growing focus on building robust economic linkages in the region, especially in sectors like trade, energy, infrastructure, and security.

UN Report: India Defies Global Slowdown with Robust 6.3% Growth in 2025

Despite a slight downward revision, India continues to hold its ground as one of the fastest-growing large economies in the world, according to the United Nations’ latest ‘World Economic Situation and Prospects: Mid-2025’ report released on Thursday.
The UN has scaled down India’s GDP growth forecast for 2025 to 6.3%, a dip from its earlier 7.1% projection for 2024. But the tone of the report remains optimistic — India’s growth story is far from losing steam.
“India remains one of the fastest-growing large economies, driven by strong private consumption and public investment, even as growth projections have been lowered,” said Ingo Pitterle, Senior Economic Affairs Officer at the UN DESA, during a press briefing.

What’s Fueling India’s Momentum?

India’s resilience is backed by robust domestic demand, aggressive government capital expenditure, and a thriving services sector, especially in IT and finance. These pillars are helping India power through a global environment riddled with uncertainty, from trade tensions and tariff wars to inflation and geopolitical shifts.
According to the report, while global supply chains are under pressure and many economies are slowing, India’s economy is defying the odds thanks to:

Long-Term Positives

India’s young population, digital innovation ecosystem, and ongoing policy reforms in manufacturing and infrastructure are cited as long-term strengths. The report sees these factors helping the country maintain a stable and upward economic trajectory, even as global headwinds persist.

The Big Picture

In a year when many economies are tightening belts, India is still expanding its footprint. While the 6.3% forecast is lower than earlier expectations, it still positions the country as a standout performer on the global economic stage.

NICDC’s ₹5,942 Cr Multi-Modal Logistics Hub at Dadri Gets Green Light

In a major step to enhance India’s logistics infrastructure, the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Ltd (NICDC) has secured government approval for a ₹5,942 crore (₹59.4 billion) Multi-Modal Logistics Hub (MMLH) at Dadri in Greater Noida. The project will be implemented under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with funding led by private firms.
The facility is designed to be a state-of-the-art logistics gateway, boosting connectivity and cargo handling capacity in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Key Highlights:

With its integrated multimodal connectivity and modern facilities, the Dadri logistics hub is set to become a key logistics node for North India and a catalyst for economic growth in the region.

Kolkata Port to Turn Vintage River Vessels into Floating Cultural Hubs

Kolkata, May 15, 2025 — In a move blending history with innovation, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP), Kolkata, has opened bids to transform three vintage river vessels into vibrant floating venues for tourism, art, and leisure.
Inspired by the successful revival of the historic paddle steamer PS Bhopal—now the popular heritage cruise Bengal Paddle—this initiative promises to redefine the Hooghly riverfront.

Key Highlights:

“These vessels offer significant potential to become revenue-generating heritage assets,” said an SMP official.

Big Boost for Maharashtra’s Logistics Sector: 10+ New Industrial Parks on the Horizon

In a landmark move to strengthen Maharashtra’s industrial and logistics ecosystem, the state government has signed a major Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Horizon Industrial Parks (a Blackstone-backed platform) and Xsio Logistics Parks. The agreement secures a Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) commitment of over ₹5,000 crore (₹50 billion), one of the largest in the sector to date.
The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Industry Secretary P. Anbalagan, and MIDC CEO P. Velrasu. Representing the Blackstone Group were Tuhin Parikh (Head of India Real Estate), Alok Jain (MD), RK Narayan (President – Strategy and Business Development, Horizon Industrial Parks), and Ashish Agrawal (MD, Xsio Logistics Parks).
These cutting-edge developments aim to position Maharashtra as a leading global logistics hub.

Key Highlights:

This partnership is set to be a game-changer for Maharashtra, catalyzing next-gen manufacturing, warehousing, and supply chain innovation.

India’s Maritime Sector Hits New High as Major Ports Break Records in FY 2024-25

India’s maritime sector has recorded a landmark year, with Major Ports handling a historic high of 855 million tonnes of cargo in FY 2024-25 — up from 819 million tonnes in the previous year. This 4.3% annual growth marks a new era of capacity, efficiency, and strategic relevance for the country’s ports.
According to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, this surge reaffirms the scalability of Indian ports in managing rising global and domestic trade volumes.

Cargo Growth Drivers:

The year’s growth was propelled by significant increases across key cargo categories:

Cargo Composition Breakdown

Key Port Performances

Infrastructure & Investment Momentum

Efficiency on the Rise

Strong Financial Performance

Government’s Vision

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal hailed these achievements as a testament to “transformational leadership” and the collaborative spirit of the Ministry, port authorities, and industry stakeholders. He emphasized that India is building sustainable, globally competitive ports to power its trade ambitions.

📈 A Decade of Transformation

India’s port sector is no longer just evolving — it’s leading. Stay tuned for more updates as we track the journey toward a truly world-class maritime ecosystem.

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:

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:

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.

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

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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