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Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Kandla port congestion may cause edible oil shortage: Traders to Govt
Traders have warned of edible oil shortages in local markets and supply disruptions as several vessels — mainly carrying Indonesian crude palm oil — remain stranded at Kandla Port, awaiting cargo unloading amid 'heavy congestion'. India is the world's largest importer of palm oil, with monthly imports totalling 750,000 tonnes. Kandla is a key port that supplies major refineries catering to western and northern India. In letters to the government, the Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA), representing key stakeholders in the edible oil industry, has said that only two vessels with a combined capacity of 45,000 tonnes are currently discharging cargo, while as many as eight vessels carrying 157,000 tonnes — are waiting for berths. The congestion is particularly concerning as five more vessels, with a total capacity of 159,000 tonnes, are expected to arrive within the next week, it has said. When contacted, Sushil Kumar Singh, Chairman of Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Kandla, told The Indian Express: 'The congestion is the result of a sudden surge in edible oil vessel arrivals after import duties were reduced in May. At present, six edible oil and six chemical vessels are waiting at anchorage. The average waiting time is 8-10 days. We've tightened operational protocols and are working to address the issue as efficiently as possible.' This comes amid sharp fluctuations in palm oil prices. Traders typically increase purchases when prices drop. Last month, India's palm oil imports hit a six-month high, driven by low domestic inventories and a favourable price gap compared to soybean and sunflower oils, Reuters reported. However, palm oil futures have since surged following the US's proposal to raise biofuel blending mandates. The SEA has warned that the waiting period could increase to 15–20 days, based on the expected vessel line-up. Such prolonged delays 'could lead to a scarcity of edible oil in the local market, impacting the supply chain,' it has said. 'The situation has further deteriorated, as Kandla Port has resorted to pulling out edible oil vessels mid-discharge. In the past week alone, three such vessels — each with just 1,000 to 3,000 tonnes of cargo remaining — have been withdrawn or shifted from berths,' the SEA said in a letter to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution on June 16, following up on an earlier communication sent on June 11. The congestion has wide-reaching implications as the extended waiting periods are incurring significant demurrage costs, thereby increasing overall import expenses and pushing up edible oil prices for consumers. Jitendra Srivastava, CEO of Triton Logistics & Maritime, said the congestion of shipments at Kandla Port reinforces the need to upgrade India's port infrastructure and optimise maritime logistics at the earliest. 'With vessel wait times reaching up to 48 hours, the ripple effects are felt across the entire supply chain, from exporters to consumers. As trade volumes continue to escalate, there is a pressing need for ports across the country to incorporate smart technologies, automate, and improve berthing and cargo handling capabilities to sustain future demand,' Srivastava said. 'Principal solutions include improved vessel traffic control, enhanced inter-agency coordination, and investment in technological aids such as predictive analytics to enable more effective port flow management. Upgrading berths, modernising the container terminal, and developing warehousing space are equally important to avoid bottlenecks and achieve faster turnaround times,' Srivastava said. 'As per port norms, any vessel pulled out for any reason can only be re-berthed after three days – which, in practice, can take 3-5 days — along with additional port charges for de-berthing, re-berthing, pilotage and other marine services. Meanwhile, the vessel accrues demurrage by the hour and once under demurrage, it continues to incur charges. Ironically, this practice does little to ease the congestion,' SEA said. Total oil imports have fallen over the past seven months. Between November 2024 and May 2025 — the first seven months of the 2024–25 oil year — vegetable oil imports stood at 7,884,768 tonnes, down 9 per cent from 8,678,447 tonnes during the same period last year, SEA noted. Ravi Dutta Mishra is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, covering policy issues related to trade, commerce, and banking. He has over five years of experience and has previously worked with Mint, CNBC-TV18, and other news outlets. ... Read More
India Gazette
05-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
DPA Kandla marks World Environment Day with strong commitment to sustainability
Kandla (Gujarat) [India], June 5 (ANI): On the occasion of World Environment Day, the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) Kandla reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to sustainability and joined the global movement to 'Beat Plastic Pollution.' DPA highlighted its ongoing efforts toward building a cleaner, greener maritime ecosystem. These include conserving green cover, embracing renewable energy, and implementing comprehensive green port initiatives--all aligning with the port's long-term vision of environmental stewardship. To mark the day, a tree plantation drive was organised, witnessing enthusiastic participation from DPA Chairman Sushil Kumar Singh, IRSME, senior officials, and key stakeholders. The initiative symbolised the authority's proactive role in shaping an eco-conscious maritime future. Meanwhile, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel commenced the construction of the 'Matruvan Vanvach' at the Secretariat premises in Gandhinagar under the 'Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam 2.0' initiative on World Environment Day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, an unique initiative combining environmental responsibility with a heartfelt tribute to mothers. This campaign was inaugurated on June 5, 2024. He urged citizens across the country to participate in the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign by planting at least one tree in their mother's name. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Gujarat ranked second nationwide, with the successful plantation of 17.48 crore saplings as part of this initiative. Inspired by the vision of the Prime Minister, the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0' campaign was launched this year on World Environment Day. While inaugurating the campaign in Gandhinagar, the Chief Minister emphasised that the Prime Minister has provided a far-sighted vision to address future environmental challenges by seamlessly integrating environmental protection with sustainable development. He added that by accelerating campaigns like 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam', the country's citizens have been engaged in environmental conservation, and this year's World Environment Day also inspires the vision of a 'Plastic Pollution Free India-Gujarat'. CM said that under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0' campaign, tree plantation began with 200 sindoor saplings, initiating the Matruvan Van Kavach, consisting of 4,000 saplings within the Secretariat Complex. With the support of the Forest Department, a Matruvan Van Kavach with around 16,000 trees will be developed across the entire Secretariat Complex. (ANI)
Time of India
01-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Deendayal Port Authority unloads 79,780 tonnes of coal in 24 hours
The Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) of Kandla set a new record by unloading 79,780 tonnes of steam coal from MV KMAX RULER in just 24 hours. In a post on social media platform X, the DPA said that the record-breaking operation was carried out with the coordinated efforts of vessel agent M/s Genesis Shipping , stevedore M/s Shiv Shipping Services, and importer M/s Gallant Metals. "Record Reloaded at DPA! In a stellar feat of efficiency, MV KMAX RULER unloaded 79,780 tons of Steam Coal in just 24 hours at Deendayal Port, Kandla -- setting a new benchmark!," the X post of Deendayal Port Authority added. DPA has set ambitious targets after exceeding its own target of handling 150.16 million tonnes of cargo in the financial year 2024-25. — Deendayal_Port (@Deendayal_Port) Speaking to in April this year, DPA Chairperson Sushil Kumar Singh said that the port aims to handle 170 million tonnes of cargo, representing a growth rate of over 10 per cent. This new target is expected to redistribute cargo volumes among other ports. Kandla is a seaport in India situated in the Kachchh District of Gujarat. Kandla Port is the gateway port for states like Punjab, Haryana, Jammu, and Kashmir, as well as the rich industrial belt of West and North India. Kandla Port, located on the Gulf of Kutch on the northwestern coast of India, was constructed in the 1950s after India's independence as the chief seaport serving western India. According to its website, it is the largest port in India in terms of the volume of cargo handled. Deendayal Port Authority, India's busiest major port in recent years, is gearing up to add substantial cargo handling capacity with private sector participation . The Union Government is actively working to enhance the capacity of the port. Earlier in the month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for several transformational projects of DPA, worth over Rs 1,100 crore. (ANI)
Time of India
01-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Deendayal Port Achieves New Milestone by Unloading 79,780 Tonnes of Coal in Just 24 Hours, ET Infra
Advt Advt The Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) of Kandla set a new record by unloading 79,780 tonnes of steam coal from MV KMAX RULER in just 24 a post on social media platform X, the DPA said that the record-breaking operation was carried out with the coordinated efforts of vessel agent M/s Genesis Shipping , stevedore M/s Shiv Shipping Services, and importer M/s Gallant Metals."Record Reloaded at DPA! In a stellar feat of efficiency, MV KMAX RULER unloaded 79,780 tons of Steam Coal in just 24 hours at Deendayal Port, Kandla -- setting a new benchmark!," the X post of Deendayal Port Authority has set ambitious targets after exceeding its own target of handling 150.16 million tonnes of cargo in the financial year to in April this year, DPA Chairperson Sushil Kumar Singh said that the port aims to handle 170 million tonnes of cargo, representing a growth rate of over 10 per cent. This new target is expected to redistribute cargo volumes among other is a seaport in India situated in the Kachchh District of Gujarat. Kandla Port is the gateway port for states like Punjab, Haryana, Jammu, and Kashmir, as well as the rich industrial belt of West and North Port, located on the Gulf of Kutch on the northwestern coast of India, was constructed in the 1950s after India's independence as the chief seaport serving western to its website, it is the largest port in India in terms of the volume of cargo handled. Deendayal Port Authority, India's busiest major port in recent years, is gearing up to add substantial cargo handling capacity with private sector participation The Union Government is actively working to enhance the capacity of the port. Earlier in the month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for several transformational projects of DPA, worth over Rs 1,100 crore. (ANI)
India Gazette
31-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Deendayal Port Authority unloads 79,780 tonnes of coal in 24 hours
Kachchh (Gujarat) [India], May 31 (ANI): The Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) of Kandla set a new record by unloading 79,780 tonnes of steam coal from MV KMAX RULER in just 24 hours. In a post on social media platform X, the DPA said that the record-breaking operation was carried out with the coordinated efforts of vessel agent M/s Genesis Shipping, stevedore M/s Shiv Shipping Services, and importer M/s Gallant Metals. 'Record Reloaded at DPA! In a stellar feat of efficiency, MV KMAX RULER unloaded 79,780 tons of Steam Coal in just 24 hours at Deendayal Port, Kandla -- setting a new benchmark!,' the X post of Deendayal Port Authority added. DPA has set ambitious targets after exceeding its own target of handling 150.16 million tonnes of cargo in the financial year 2024-25. Speaking to ANI in April this year, DPA Chairperson Sushil Kumar Singh said that the port aims to handle 170 million tonnes of cargo, representing a growth rate of over 10 per cent. This new target is expected to redistribute cargo volumes among other ports. Kandla is a seaport in India situated in the Kachchh District of Gujarat. Kandla Port is the gateway port for states like Punjab, Haryana, Jammu, and Kashmir, as well as the rich industrial belt of West and North India. Kandla Port, located on the Gulf of Kutch on the northwestern coast of India, was constructed in the 1950s after India's independence as the chief seaport serving western India. According to its website, it is the largest port in India in terms of the volume of cargo handled. Deendayal Port Authority, India's busiest major port in recent years, is gearing up to add substantial cargo handling capacity with private sector participation. The Union Government is actively working to enhance the capacity of the port. Earlier in the month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for several transformational projects of DPA, worth over Rs 1,100 crore. (ANI)
