In rare instance, coal freight earnings dropped in Q1; experts cite import drop
For context, global sea freight rates had been going down over the past few months due to a previous build up which had caused rates to spike abnormally in 2024
DMRC said that Blue Dart will transport cargo via metro trains during non-peak hours, utilising available capacity to ensure faster and more reliable movement of time-sensitive shipments.
Strong infrastructure development through initiatives like PM Gati Shakti and National Logistics Policy will help India find a place among top 25 nations on the World Bank Logistics Performance Index by 2030, a report said. India ranks 38th in the World Bank Logistics Performance Index (LPI) out of 139 countries and aims to be in the top 25 by 2030. The study conducted by Global exhibitor Messe Stuttgart India in partnership with EAC International Consulting was released on Tuesday ahead the international logistics exhibition LogiMAT India 2025 which is scheduled from February 13-15 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The report highlights that strong infrastructure development through initiatives like PM Gati Shakti and the National Logistics Policy are going to be the key drivers to achieve this (India's aim to be in top 25 by 2030 in LPI). The Indian freight and logistics market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 8.8 per cent to reach USD 484.43 billion by 2029, up f
Under the mission, the government wants to achieve 3,000 million tonnes (mt) of cargo on railways by 2030
With the Union Budget 2025-26 approaching, industry players are pinning hopes on significant announcements for the railway sector, particularly in freight operations and infrastructure development. The industry also stressed the need to increase the average speed of freight trains to 50 kmph and deploy advanced 12,000 HP electric locomotives. Texmaxo Managing Director Sudipta Mukherjee expressed optimism for a substantial wagon order, building on the government's 2022 announcement of approximately 1.2 lakh wagon orders over three years. "Out of the total 3 lakh long-term wagon procurement plan to increase the total number to six lakh wagons, the government had placed nearly 1.2 lakh wagon orders in 2022, which are supposed to be fulfilled by 2025. We hope the government will repeat a similar mega order for wagons in the upcoming budget to push the railways' share in logistics to 45 per cent from the current 26-27 per cent," Mukherjee said. He also emphasised the need for increased
The dedicated freight corridors of the Indian Railways have had a social-equalising effect with states that have a lower per-capita GDP experiencing significant benefits, a study by the University of New South Wales, Australia, has revealed. This suggests that the corridors are helping bridge the economic gap, offering a path towards more equitable economic growth across the country, it stated. Though the study, published in Elsevier Journal, focused on the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) for the financial year 2019-20, experts say that overall, it benefits several industries and consumers, giving a big push to the Indian economy. The study said the dedicated freight corridor gives financial benefits to all regions of the country. However, areas closer to it gain more due to a significant reduction in the travel cost, it said. "The model finds a universal decrease in the cost of freighting, with GDP improvements being observed in regions with the greatest decreases in cos
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal announces purchase of second-hand vessels
Increasing freight costs, shortage of containers and dependence on major shipping hubs and foreign carriers pose serious challenges to the country's exports, think tank GTRI said on Sunday. To address these challenges, the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) recommended that India implement several strategies to boost domestic container production, enhance the role of local shipping companies, promote use of domestic containers, and strengthen local shipping firms. "India can lower its risk of global supply chain disruptions by boosting domestic container production, encouraging the use of locally made containers, and increasing the use of Indian shipping companies for transporting goods," GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava said. Between 2022 and 2024, shipping rates for a 40-foot container have fluctuated significantly. It said that in 2022, the average cost was USD 4,942 due to the lingering effects of the covid pandemic, while by 2024, the rate had stabilized around USD 4,775, it
Red Sea crisis causing global shipping disruptions reminiscent of those seen during Covid-19 pandemic
Freight volumes for the national transporter, Indian Railways, had contracted year-on-year for the first time since the coronavirus outbreak in June 2023
The Drewry World Container Index (WCI) increased 2 per cent to $4,801 per 40ft container this week and increased 202 per cent when compared with the same week last year
Some of the catalysts for the monthlong advance in seaborne freight rates stem more from worry than optimism
Two trains with petrol and diesel headed to Tripura on Saturday amid a fuel crisis due to disruption in railway freight services in Assam's Dima Hasao, an official said. Goods train services have been disrupted on the line since April 26, following the derailment of a freight train in Jatinga area of Dima Hasao. However, passenger train services remained normal. "Two trains carried petrol and diesel today. Three-four days back, we had sent another freight train with essential commodities like sugar and edible oil," North East Frontier Railway spokesperson Sabyasachi De told PTI. One of the trains has 49 wagons and is heading to Dharmanagar in Tripura, he said. The other train has 50 wagons, of which 25 were meant for Dharmanagar and 25 for Silchar in Assam, he added. De said work on the restoration of the tracks was underway. "We could send the two trains today as there was no rain for the last two-three days. The restoration work depends on how the weather is. We are trying our
Jaipur, Ahmedabad see largest declines
Experts say the ministry should target unconventional sectors more aggressively
Passenger load factor also sees decline after year-end jump
Nearly half the goods transported is coal; share of food grains declines
The world's biggest sunflower oil buyer typically sources most of its imports from the Black Sea region via the Red Sea
Ocean freight 10% costlier, shippers brace for further setback