On Thursday, Adani Group’s ports firm reported monthly cargo volumes hit a record high in April as container traffic rose and iron ore and coal shipments rose to support a rapidly expanding economy.

“Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ) handled a total cargo volume of 32.3 million tonnes in April. This is 12.8% higher than the same period last year,” the company said in a statement.

Cargo growth was supported by a 9% increase in dry cargo volumes (iron ore, non-coking and coastal coal) and a 13.6% increase in container volumes.

APSEZ is India’s largest commercial port operator, accounting for nearly a quarter of the country’s cargo traffic. It operates 11 seaports, including Mundra Port in Gujarat, India’s largest commercial port.

Karan Adani, CEO and full-time director of APSEZ, said: “The increase in cargo volumes across most of our ports reflects that our strategy to improve operational efficiency is bearing fruit, which will continue to improve the ROCE of our port assets.”

The monthly throughput of the four ports recorded significant month-on-month growth. These include Krishnapatnam in Andhra Pradesh (5.2 million tons, up 22.6% year-on-year), Dhamra in Odisha (3.3 million tons, up 36.8% year-on-year), tuna in Gujarat (1.15 million tons, up 57.6% year-on-year), combined with Katupalli & Ennore in Tamil Nadu (1.7 million tons, up 13.3% year-on-year).

Gujarat’s Mundra port handled the largest shipment of vegetable oil (soybean oil) at 61,841 tonnes, surpassing the previous high of 57,000 tonnes (palm oil).

Andhra Pradesh’s Gangavaram port handled a monthly high of 88 rakes as it handled coastal coal cargo for one of its clients.

“Investment in our port’s rail infrastructure has been one of the catalysts for improving our operational performance. Continuing on this journey, Dahej Port has completed the extension of overhead power lines, enabling it to handle the rakes of Indian Railways’ electric locomotives,” the statement said.

With the commissioning of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) line in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh, in April 2023, the double rake service from ICD Dadri to Mundra Port will now be operational. Backed by Patli ICD, the connection will further boost the cargo volume at Mundra Port and Adani Logistics’ total rail cargo volume.

Total rail container volumes rose 22% year-on-year to 47,122 TEUs in April, while bulk cargo (GPWIS) volumes jumped 40% to 1.4 million tonnes.

The development of the country’s rail network will continue to push India’s logistics performance index in line with the government’s ambitions.