Gujarat Pipavav Port Eyes Gradual Container Recovery as Liquids, RoRo and Fertilisers Drive Growth

By Admin

01 Dec, 2025

Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd. is gearing up for a measured turnaround in container volumes even as its strength in diversified cargo handling continues to grow. Despite temporary disruptions, the port is balancing its portfolio strategically to stay resilient amid global trade shifts.

Container Volumes Under Pressure
The port’s container segment has faced notable challenges in the first half of the financial year. A key factor behind the slowdown has been a steep decline in cargo linked to the US, driven by tariff-related disruptions. As a result, Gujarat Pipavav Port recorded a 5% drop in container volumes, with a sharper 9% decline in the latest quarter.
“We are down by five per cent on container volume… this quarter, we declined by nine per cent essentially because of the US tariffs, where we’ve seen significant de-growth in some of the services,” said Girish Aggarwal, Managing Director of Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd.

Signs of Stabilisation Ahead
Despite the current dip, the outlook is cautiously optimistic. Aggarwal highlighted early signs of improvement, indicating that the most challenging phase may be behind them.
“Broadly, we are now seeing some slight recovery. I expect container volumes to grow slightly in this quarter… Overall, this year, we should end at -2 per cent to 0 per cent on containers,” he stated.
This suggests that while the recovery may be gradual, the port expects to stabilise and possibly close the year near flat growth.

Liquids, RoRo and Fertilisers Power Growth
Even as container numbers soften, Gujarat Pipavav Port is strengthening its foothold in alternative cargo categories. Liquids, RoRo (roll-on/roll-off), and fertilisers are emerging as high-performance pillars that continue to deliver steady growth.
These segments have helped the port cushion the impact of falling container volumes, ensuring a more balanced revenue mix and an improved competitive position.

A Strategic Shift Towards a Diversified Portfolio
The port’s ability to capitalise on non-container cargo reflects its strategic agility in a dynamic global environment. While container trade remains a core segment, the rising contribution of liquids, RoRo and fertiliser cargo is allowing the port to rebalance its portfolio and reduce dependency on any single market.

Looking Ahead: Building Resilience in Changing Times
With early signs of a modest container recovery and strong momentum in diversified cargo, Gujarat Pipavav Port is well-positioned for the coming quarters. Its focus on stabilising container volumes while expanding alternative cargo capabilities underscores a long-term vision to strengthen its market presence and enhance resilience amid shifting global trade dynamics.