<p data-path-to-node="5">Demonstrating high-speed dry-bulk handling and turnaround efficiency at Western India’s primary bulk gateway, <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="126">Ashapura Shipping Group&nbsp;</b>through its stevedoring division <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="183">Shree Ashapura Stevedores&nbsp;</b>has set a new operational loading record at <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="253">Deendayal Port Authority (DPA)</b> in Kandla. The group successfully loaded <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="325">38,500 metric tonnes (MT)</b> of Granulated Super Fine Powdered (GSSP) bentonite in bulk onto the vessel <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="426"><i data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="426">MV Buzzard</i></b> in under <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="446">23 hours and 25 minutes</b>.</p><p data-path-to-node="6">The achievement highlights seamless operational coordination between private stevedores, vessel agents, customs house agents, and port authorities, achieving an average hourly bulk loading rate exceeding 1,640 MT.</p><h3 data-path-to-node="8"><b data-path-to-node="8" data-index-in-node="0">Accelerated Turnaround Time Enhances Quayside Productivity at Kandla</b></h3><p data-path-to-node="9">The high-volume export handling milestone reflects growing operational productivity across DPA's dry-bulk berths:</p><ul data-path-to-node="10"><li><p data-path-to-node="10,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Operations Timeline &amp; Execution:</b> The loading operation commenced at 4:05 PM on July 2 and concluded by 2:30 PM on July 3. Rapid handling achieved a total turn-around time of less than 24 hours for the 38,500 MT export consignment.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,1,0" data-index-in-node="0">Multi-Agency Stakeholder Synergy:</b> Executed by <b data-path-to-node="10,1,0" data-index-in-node="46">M/s. Shree Ashapura Stevedores</b> as the lead stevedore, the operation was supported by <b data-path-to-node="10,1,0" data-index-in-node="131">M/s. Spartans Marine Services</b> (vessel agent) and <b data-path-to-node="10,1,0" data-index-in-node="180">M/s. Balaji Infraport Pvt. Ltd.</b> (Ashapura Group's customs house agency unit). The cargo was exported by <b data-path-to-node="10,1,0" data-index-in-node="284">Gimpex Imerys India Pvt. Ltd.</b> and <b data-path-to-node="10,1,0" data-index-in-node="318">Bharat Abrasives and Chemical Industries</b>.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,2,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,2,0" data-index-in-node="0">Global Industrial Importance:</b> Bentonite and GSSP minerals are critical industrial inputs used extensively in international drilling muds, foundry casting, construction, and iron ore pelletization. Fast vessel loading directly reduces demurrage risks for mineral exporters targeting overseas markets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,3,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,3,0" data-index-in-node="0">Strengthening DPA Bulk Handling Benchmark:</b> Chairman of Deendayal Port Authority, Sushil Kumar Singh (IRSME), commended the joint efforts of the stevedores, shramiks (dockworkers), and trade unions, highlighting that such record turnarounds bolster Kandla's position as a premier, cost-effective ocean hub for Indian mineral exports.</p></li></ul>