Welcome to episode 36 of The Port Report from THE WEEK, with the latest updates from the maritime world for the week of October 17-23.
The Deendayal Port crossed the one-million-metric-tonne mark for the fourth time in October 2026 after it handled a record 10.96 lakh metric tonnes on the 21st of the month.
Also, Essar Ports Limited on October 21 won a ₹2,376 crore contract to develop a multipurpose terminal at Tuna-Tekra for this mega port.
The proposed terminal will add 18.33 million tonnes per annum of additional capacity, and will comprise four 300m berths and an 18m draft, making it capable of accommodating Capesize ships of up to 170,000 dwt.
Next, the Paradip Port notified a number of year-on-year milestones so far in FY 2026-27.
Hard coal handling grew by nearly 50 per cent, crossing 700 metric tonnes from 477 metric tonnes. Thermal coal throughput grew by nearly 16 per cent to cross 26,000 metric tonnes, while coking coal grew by 3 per cent to reach 6,590 metric tonnes.
Also, steel billets cargo handling grew four times over April-September in FY 2026-27, crossing 21,000 metric tonnes, as compared to the same period last fiscal, which saw about 5,200 metric tonnes.
Moving on, the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) in Goa has become the first autonomous government body to get the green light for a 5G Captive Non-Public Network (CNPN), for a period of 20 years.
Next, in a significant development for the L&T shipyard in Kattupalli, Tamil Nadu, the Singapore-flagged container ship, Maersk Chattogram, arrived at the Kattupalli Port on October 18, ahead of its scheduled drydocking.
This will be Maersk's first planned drydocking in India, and comes a year after it signed an MoU with the privately owned shipyard at the India Maritime Week 2025.
Moving on, the Cochin Port achieved 22 per cent growth in overall cargo handling for April-September this fiscal, as compared to the same period last fiscal.
Next, the V.O. Chidambaranar Port recorded more than 75 per cent year-on-year growth in windmill blade cargo handling during April-September in FY 2026-27.
Also, its Tuticorin International Container Terminal was awarded the 'Green Terminal' status by the Union shipping ministry on October 23, for electrifying 100 per cent of its operational equipment.
The port was also linked to a new bi-weekly international shipping service operated by Thailand-based Regional Container Line.
The Singapore-flagged container ship Nawata Bhum on October 18 became the first ship to operate under this service, calling at its Dakshin Bharat Gateway Terminal. The only other Indian port on this service is the Kattupalli Port in Tamil Nadu.
Finally, Kerala CM V.D. Satheesan has clarified that Adani Ports had sought prior approval from the state government before attempting to transfer its 49 per cent stake in the Vizhinjam Port.
He added that an empowered committee headed by the Chief Secretary is evaluating the MSC proposal with respect to the concession agreement.
That's all from Port Report with THE WEEK, and we'll see you next week. For more updates from the maritime sector, visit the special microsite at theweek.in.
