Landmark Exchange on Container Giant CMA CGM Thalassa Shatters Prior Terminal Records, Solidifying JNPA’s Megaship Handling Velocity

NAVI MUMBAI — Demonstrating high-density container handling capability and operational discipline, Nhava Sheva Freeport Terminal (NSFT)—the joint venture concession between J M Baxi Ports & Logistics and CMA Terminals at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA)—has established a new operational milestone by processing its highest-ever single-vessel parcel exchange of 9,154 TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) during a single port call on board the mainline vessel CMA CGM Thalassa.

The operational benchmark eclipses NSFT’s previous terminal handling high of 8,736 TEUs, which was set during the call of the ultra-large container carrier CSCL Star. The successful handling of over 9,100 container moves on a single scheduled vessel underscores the terminal’s upgraded quayside and yard infrastructure following its extensive brownfield modernization program, cementing JNPA’s ability to manage heavy single-call cargo consolidations without generating landside or berth congestion.

Operational Precision & Quayside Execution

Managing a single parcel size exceeding 9,000 TEUs on a tight berthing schedule demands precise yard planning, crane synchronization, and gate velocity:

  • Synchronous Dual-Cycling Crane Movements: Quayside operations utilized twin-lift Ship-to-Shore (STS) gantry cranes executing synchronized discharge and load sequencing. This eliminated empty spreader trolley cycles by offloading import boxes and picking up outbound export containers in continuous single crane movements.

  • Intelligent Yard Slotting: NSFT’s AI-enabled Terminal Operating System (TOS) dynamically sequenced yard blocks to prevent container "re-handling" (shifting non-target boxes to retrieve designated units). Containers destined for CMA CGM Thalassa were pre-marshaled according to vessel bay stowage plans, enabling rapid transfer from terminal tractor trucks onto the quay apron.

  • Sustained Quayside Productivity: The operation built upon NSFT's recent operational velocity record, where the terminal achieved an all-time high berth productivity of 145 moves per hour and a gross ship productivity of 156 moves per hour during the call of APL Le Havre on the INDAMEX service loop.

Hinterland Evacuation & Intermodal Synergy

The handling of 9,154 TEUs on a single call exerts heavy pressure on terminal gate and rail evacuation channels. NSFT coordinated landside logistics in conjunction with JNPA’s common rail infrastructure and drayage plazas:

  1. Direct Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) Evacuation: A significant portion of the import manifest—consisting of high-value capital machinery, automotive assemblies, and chemical intermediates destined for industrial hubs in the National Capital Region (NCR), Rajasthan, and Gujarat—was transferred directly onto electrified double-stack rail rakes operating on the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor.

  2. Pre-Cleared Direct Port Delivery (DPD): Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) consignments moved under DPD protocols were loaded onto commercial prime movers within hours of quayside touchdown, bypassing intermediate Container Freight Stations (CFSs) to prevent yard footprint saturation.

  3. Automated Smart Gate Inflow: The terminal's Optical Character Recognition (OCR) gate complexes and appointment-based digital truck slotting ensured that outbound factory-stuffed containers arrived in a continuous, un-congested flow from Maharashtra and Gujarat industrial zones.

Leadership Perspectives & Future Expansion

Announcing the accomplishment, terminal management officials highlighted that handling record parcel volumes confirms the commercial viability of NSFT’s Phase-1 and Phase-2 capital investments, which expanded terminal handling capacity from 0.6 million TEUs up to 1.8 million TEUs per annum.

"Handling a 9,154-TEU cargo parcel on a single vessel without operational bottlenecks demonstrates NSFT’s engineering readiness, skilled labor execution, and disciplined terminal orchestration," an NSFT operations director remarked. "As global carrier alliances consolidate services onto larger mainline vessels, terminal selection hinges on rapid, dependable turnaround times. NSFT is committed to delivering global operating benchmarks that lower overall logistics costs for Indian export-import supply chains."

The milestone reinforces JNPA’s position as India's premier container transshipment and EXIM gateway, aligning directly with the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways' Maritime Amrit Kaal 2047 blueprint to elevate Indian container terminal productivity to the top tiers of international efficiency rankings.