OUTLOOK: “Scaling Volumes Demands Seamless Last-Mile, Rail, and Depot Coordination for Predictable Efficiency”

Ravinder Johal, Chief Operating Officer – Ports & Terminals, Operations & Commercial, Middle East, North Africa & India Subcontinent, DP World, discusses his plan for 2026 and beyond. In this interview, he maps India’s container trade trajectory toward 2026 — from capacity expansion at western hubs to the last-mile bottlenecks that could determine whether ambition meets execution

How will India’s container throughput evolve by 2026, and which segments or regions will drive terminal growth?

India’s container throughput will see steady growth through 2026, fueled by its role in global trade. Major ports handled ~855 million tonnes in FY 2024-25, with containerization rising via EXIM and high-value trade. Initiatives like Sagarmala, Maritime India Vision 2030, Coastal Shipping Bill 2024, and PM’s “One Nation, One Port Process” standardise procedures and cut documentation. Western hubs like JNPA Nhava Sheva and Mundra will lead on Asia-Europe, Africa, US East Coast, Far East, and Middle East routes. Network expansions add capacity: Tuna Tekra at Kandla boosts 2.19 million TEUs; Cochin’s yard hits 1.4 million TEUs. DP World enhances rail links to hinterlands, connecting industrial clusters to global routes.

By 2026, will new capacity cause overcapacity, uneven use, or infrastructure gaps? How do terminals balance long-term builds with short-term demand?

Expansion targets EXIM growth, transhipment, Western DFC, Sagarmala, and manufacturing—not overcapacity, per Maritime Vision 2030. Terminals phase additions, using tech, rail/road links, and evacuation systems for efficiency. DP World’s five terminals handle 6+ million TEUs yearly, plus 5 million sq. ft. FTWZs at Chennai, Nhava Sheva, and Cochin. Its private rail network moves 16,000+ containers via eight inland terminals. The MagRail project at Deendayal Port tests automated, low-emission magnetic propul sion on tracks, cutting diesel truck reliance.

With rising vessel/call sizes, which productivity metrics matter most by 2026—berth, yard, truck time, or rail? Where do we lag benchmarks?

Productivity will hinge on end-to-end integration, not single metrics. Berth performance stays key for quay time and large exchanges, but yard ops and landside coordination ensure system-wide flow. Integrated planning across berth, yard, and connectivity handles demands reliably. DP World’s tech ecosystem links vessels, equipment, people, and partners via data-driven multimodal ops, supporting bigger vessels and calls with predictable flows.

What are today’s top cargo evacuation bottlenecks—last-mile, rail, ICDs, or regulations? What fixes are needed for volume growth?

Bottlenecks include last-mile connectivity, rail availability, ICD coordination, and regulations. Fixes demand better integration for transparency and efficiency, plus PPPs for tech and global practices. DP World scales Virtual Trade Corridor (VTC) via Nhava Sheva, Deendayal, and Jebel Ali, digitising customs/logistics. Inland projects like Powarkheda hub link central India to JNPA, slashing times; new reefer service aids Hyderabad-JNPA pharma/ perishables. AI/IoT boosts safety, planning, equipment monitoring, and alerts.