MUMBAI: The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), India’s largest container port, has achieved a significant milestone in Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) operations with the departure of its first long-haul double-stack (D/S) rake.
The rake departed from JNPA at 1900 hrs on August 21, 2026, bound for CGMV, carrying 360 TEUs of Import cargo that arrived through BMCTPL operated by PSA. The movement marks a significant advancement in JNPA’s long-haul rail connectivity and strengthens its capability to facilitate faster and more efficient evacuation of EXIM cargo.
The commencement of long-haul double-stack operations will enable the movement of higher volumes of cargo in a single rake, enhancing the efficiency and capacity of rail-based freight transportation. Importantly, this improved connectivity is expected to facilitate faster evacuation of import containers from the port, reduce import dwell time and enable cargo to reach its destination in shorter transit times.
The successful movement underscores JNPA’s growing rail infrastructure capabilities and its readiness to support high-capacity, double-stack and long-haul freight operations. By providing an efficient rail alternative for the movement of EXIM cargo over long distances, the initiative is expected to streamline cargo evacuation, reduce logistics bottlenecks and improve supply-chain efficiency.
Enhanced integration with the Dedicated Freight Corridor network will further strengthen JNPA’s connectivity with key inland destinations. Faster rail movement from the gateway port to inland locations will help improve cargo flow, reduce transit times and provide greater predictability to importers, exporters and other stakeholders across the logistics chain.
The initiative also aligns with JNPA’s continued efforts to improve the overall efficiency of cargo handling and evacuation at the port.
Reduced import dwell time and faster cargo movement will contribute to quicker cargo availability at inland destinations, enabling more efficient inventory management and supporting the competitiveness of India’s EXIM trade. With continuous investment in infrastructure and connectivity, JNPA is strengthening its position as a key gateway for India’s international trade. The commencement of the first long-haul double-stack DFC rake represents another important step towards building a faster, more efficient, reliable and competitive multimodal logistics network for the country.
About Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA):
The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) is one of India’s premier container-handling ports and a key gateway for the country’s EXIM trade. JNPA currently operates five container terminals — NSFT, NSICT, NSIGT, BMCT and APMT. The port also has a shallow water berth for general cargo, operated by NSDT. Its liquid cargo facilities include a terminal managed by the BPCL-IOCL consortium and an additional liquid cargo terminal developed by JNPA and operated by M/s JSW-JNPT Liquid Terminal Pvt. Ltd. The port’s coastal berth further strengthens maritime connectivity with other Indian ports and supports the growth of coastal cargo and container movement.
Spread across 277 hectares, JNPA also operates a strategically located multi-product Special Economic Zone (SEZ) equipped with modern infrastructure and facilities to support export-oriented industries and promote trade and investment.
Looking ahead, JNPA is developing the Vadhvan Port, an all-weather, deep-draft, greenfield port in Maharashtra and the 13th Major Port of India.
