DPA Kandla sets new benchmark, handles 40 ships in a single day

Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Kandla, has set a new operational record by managing 40 vessel movements within 24 hours, surpassing its previous best of 38 ships achieved in December 2023. The milestone, announced by the port on X on Sunday, was hailed as a testament to exceptional coordination and efficiency across port operations.

In its post, the port authority described the feat as a proud moment for Kandla, crediting the achievement to the dedication and teamwork of its workforce.

Growing Global Engagement

The record-setting performance comes amid heightened international interest in Kandla’s infrastructure and clean-energy initiatives.

On November 13, a senior British delegation — led by British Deputy High Commissioner Stephen Thomas Hickling and supported by GH2 India — reviewed progress at India’s first indigenous 1 MW green hydrogen plant, located at the port. The team praised Kandla’s rapid strides in green port initiatives and its growing role in India’s emerging green hydrogen ecosystem.

Officials highlighted that Kandla is positioning itself as a key player in India’s clean-fuel value chain, backed by several ongoing decarbonisation-focused projects that aim to make the port a strategic hub for green-energy investments.

The port also welcomed representatives from the New Zealand High Commission along with leaders from the country’s forestry and wood-processing industry. The delegation examined Kandla’s role as India’s primary EXIM gateway for timber, which handles a significant portion of the nation’s timber imports. The visit underscored expanding trade prospects and industry collaboration between the two countries.

Earlier, on November 6, European experts specialising in certification and EU regulations — supported by GH2 India — toured the green hydrogen facility and were briefed on Kandla’s scale-up plans.

These back-to-back international visits, combined with the latest operational record, reflect Kandla’s growing prominence as a high-performing port transitioning toward sustainable operations and playing an increasingly important role in India’s energy transition.