APSEZ cargo handling hits record 50 mn tonnes, rises 19% in August

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd handled a record 50 million tonnes of cargo in August, its highest monthly throughput to date, as stronger domestic economic activity, rising container trade and a diversified cargo mix lifted volumes.

Cargo handled by India’s largest port operator rose 19% from 41.9 million tonnes a year earlier, according to the company. The increase comes as India’s economy continues to expand even as geopolitical tensions, shifting shipping routes and supply-chain realignments reshape global trade flows.

The growth was broad-based. Dry cargo volumes rose 25% year-on-year in August, while container volumes increased 15%. Shipments of commodities, including coal, iron ore, limestone and other minerals, also contributed to the increase.

International operations added to the gains, with North Queensland Export Terminal (NQXT) in Queensland, Australia, contributing to volumes and Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) in Sri Lanka continuing its ramp-up. Existing assets, including Mundra in Gujarat, Krishnapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and the Port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, also recorded growth.

The August record caps a strong start to the financial year, according to APSEZ. The company handled 43.1 million tonnes in April, 48.3 million tonnes in May, 46.8 million tonnes in June and 46.3 million tonnes in July before reaching 50 million tonnes in August. Cumulative cargo handled during the first five months of FY27 reached 234.4 million tonnes, up 16% from the same period a year earlier, with dry cargo increasing 17% and container volumes rising 15%.

The gains come against a backdrop of resilient domestic growth. India’s real GDP expanded 7.8% in the April-June quarter of FY27, with manufacturing growing 9.2% and services expanding 10%. At the same time, global trade remains subject to disruptions from geopolitical tensions, changes in shipping routes and efforts by companies to realign supply chains, shifts that are altering the movement of goods across trade corridors and increasing the importance of ports with access to multiple markets and cargo categories.

APSEZ’s network of Indian and overseas gateways gives it exposure to a range of commodities and trade routes, operating across ports, marine services and logistics. Its logistics business also provides an inland link between ports and markets, with rail volumes reaching 54,131 TEUs in August, up 6% from July.

The latest monthly record adds to APSEZ’s longer-term expansion as it works toward its target of handling 1 billion tonnes of cargo annually by FY31.