Amid heightened geopolitical tensions and war‑related disruptions in the Gulf region, Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Kandla, has achieved a significant landmark by handling 150 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo, reaching the mark 18 days earlier than in the previous financial year. This accelerated performance further consolidates DPA’s position among India’s leading major ports at a time when supply chains linked to the Gulf are under pressure.
Marking the occasion, a joint delegation from the Gandhidham Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Kandla Tank Farm Owners Association (KTFA), led by Chamber president Teja Kangad, called on DPA Chairman Sushil Kumar Singh on 14 March 2026 to convey their appreciation. The delegation congratulated the Chairman and his team on behalf of the regional trade and tank‑farm community, underlining that the milestone has been achieved despite global uncertainties and volatile cargo flows from the Gulf.
Kangad noted that the port’s performance reflects exceptional operational resilience and efficient logistics management, even as the broader maritime sector navigates disruptions stemming from the ongoing war situation and geopolitical shifts in the Gulf countries. He credited the achievement to the “visionary leadership” of the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and the “able guidance” of DPA Chairman Sushil Kumar Singh, while also acknowledging the coordinated efforts of traffic managers, officers from all departments, employees, trade unions and workers on the ground.
During an interaction with port users, Kangad urged all stakeholders to intensify their efforts over the remaining days of March to maximise cargo handling and work collectively towards an ambitious year‑end target of 160 MMT. Setting a new record at that level, he said, would not only reinforce DPA’s role as a key gateway for India’s exim trade but also significantly support the country’s economic growth trajectory. He linked this drive directly to the national vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047”, arguing that high‑performing gateways such as Kandla have a central role in enabling India’s long‑term development agenda.
Kangad also emphasised that the port is fully equipped to handle additional ship calls and higher parcel sizes, and called on all port users to make the most of the available capacity. The trade bodies highlighted that, even with vessel bunching and cargo scheduling challenges created by the Gulf crisis, DPA has maintained service continuity and demonstrated its ability to absorb increased traffic. For shippers and logistics providers relying on Kandla’s connectivity to key hinterland markets, the milestone signals confidence in the port’s ability to sustain higher volumes going forward.
Mahesh Tirthani, Secretary of the Gandhidham Chamber, added that the achievement showcases strong leadership and strategic planning by the port administration and expressed best wishes on behalf of the wider trade community. Responding to the felicitation, Chairman Sushil Kumar Singh thanked port users for their continuous support and expressed confidence that, with collective effort, the 160 MMT mark can be reached within the remaining 17 days of the financial year. He reiterated that the port administration is fully prepared and resourced to meet the higher target and called for continued collaboration between the port, trade and labour to set yet another historic benchmark for Deendayal Port Authority.
