In a landmark maritime breakthrough, the Hooghly River transformed into a floating logistics hub in the early hours of April 25, 2026, as Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMP Kolkata) successfully conducted its first-ever midstream container handling operation at Diamond Harbour Anchorage.
At approximately 4:30 a.m., while much of Kolkata slept, export containers transported via inland barge were lifted directly from the vessel Waterways 1 and transferred onto the gearless container ship MSC Andrea F. The operation was carried out mid-river without the use of a conventional berth or jetty, using a self-propelled floating crane, Shreeji Samruddhi.
The pioneering operation was conducted under the leadership of Rathendra Raman, Chairman of SMP Kolkata, and attended by senior port officials, marking a significant advancement in the port’s logistics capabilities.
Port authorities highlighted several advantages of the new system, including the ability for gearless vessels to operate at Diamond Harbour using natural draft, reduced ocean freight costs for exporters, faster vessel turnaround times, and improved cargo movement efficiency — all achieved without the need for additional port infrastructure.
The initiative is expected to integrate seamlessly with the extended gate at the Balagarh Multimodal Terminal, enabling a streamlined river-to-sea cargo movement corridor. Containers can now travel from inland regions via waterways, consolidate at Balagarh, and be transferred midstream onto ocean-going vessels, bypassing traditional port congestion.
Officials and industry stakeholders have hailed the development as a transformative step for eastern India’s maritime trade, positioning the Hooghly not just as a historic waterway, but as a modern logistics corridor driving the future of shipping and commerce.
