Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd. has resumed operations at its Mundra port in Gujarat after a cyclonic storm named Biparjoy passed through the region. The port had halted work for several days due to the storm. Karan Adani, the CEO of Adani Ports, mentioned in a tweet that the first ship has berthed at the Mundra port since its operations resumed, indicating that they are back to normal functioning.
Before the cyclone hit, ports in Gujarat’s Kutch, including Mundra, Pipavav, and Hazira, suspended their operations on June 12 in anticipation of the “extremely severe” cyclonic storm. The storm made landfall on Thursday, causing heavy rains in parts of India and Pakistan and leading to the evacuation of tens of thousands of people.
As a precautionary measure, all Indian ports along the coastline of Gujarat have halted operations until further notice due to the cyclone’s trajectory toward the country’s northwest corridor. This includes major container handlers such as Mundra, Pipavav, and Hazira. Adani Group’s Mundra port is particularly vital to India’s container trade due to its infrastructure superiority and strategic location.
In response to the cyclone, ships already at berth have been shifted from jetties, and authorities have been instructed to stop further vessel movements and secure harbor equipment. Vessels at anchorage are required to proceed to high seas, and no vessels will be allowed to anchor or drift within Mundra port limits until further instructions.
The cyclone is categorized as a “very severe storm” with expected winds up to 145 kph. Its effects are expected to last for about a week, posing challenges for authorities and trade stakeholders. The swell caused by the cyclone has made marine and quayside operations extremely difficult and challenging, according to Ajay Kumar, head of marine operations at APM Terminals Pipavav. Nhava Sheva (JNPA) has also implemented restrictions on vessel movements as a precautionary measure. Mundra and Nhava Sheva combined handle approximately 65% of India’s containerized trade.
