Haldia Dock Complex, part of Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, has resumed handling coastal thermal coal cargo after a nine-month suspension, restoring a key logistics channel for domestic coal transportation. The reopening is expected to improve the movement of thermal coal to power plants and industrial consumers along India’s coastline.
The resumption follows efforts by port authorities to restore operations and meet growing demand for coastal cargo services. With thermal coal handling back in operation, the dock is expected to facilitate more efficient cargo movement while reducing dependence on road and rail transport.
Port officials anticipate that the restart will increase cargo throughput and strengthen Haldia Dock’s role as an important gateway for coastal shipping. The renewed operations are also expected to enhance vessel traffic and improve utilisation of the port’s cargo-handling infrastructure.
The move supports the government’s objective of promoting coastal shipping as a cost-effective and environmentally efficient mode of freight transport. Greater use of coastal routes is expected to ease pressure on land-based logistics networks while lowering transportation costs for bulk commodities.
The revival of coastal thermal coal handling reinforces Haldia Dock’s strategic importance in India’s maritime logistics network and is expected to contribute to improved supply chain efficiency for the country’s energy and industrial sectors.