Transport Corporation of India (TCI) is planning to acquire additional vessels as part of its strategy to expand its high-margin coastal shipping business and strengthen its presence in India’s growing multimodal logistics sector.
The company said it is looking to scale up coastal cargo operations to capitalise on increasing demand for cost-efficient and environmentally sustainable freight transportation along India’s coastline. The planned fleet expansion is expected to enhance cargo carrying capacity and improve service coverage across major domestic trade routes.
Industry observers noted that coastal shipping has been gaining traction as businesses seek alternatives to congested road transport networks and rising inland logistics costs. Coastal movement is increasingly being used for transporting containers, bulk commodities, industrial cargo, and project shipments between ports and manufacturing hubs.
TCI has been focusing on expanding integrated logistics solutions that combine road, rail, and sea transportation to improve supply chain efficiency for customers across sectors including consumer goods, chemicals, automotive, and industrial products.
The company’s coastal shipping business has emerged as a relatively high-margin segment due to lower operating costs per tonne-kilometre and growing demand for multimodal freight services. Industry experts said government initiatives promoting coastal shipping and port-led development are also supporting long-term growth prospects for the sector.
India has been encouraging greater use of coastal waterways to reduce logistics costs, improve cargo evacuation, and lower carbon emissions from freight transportation. Investments in port infrastructure, dedicated coastal berths, and multimodal connectivity projects are expected to further boost domestic maritime cargo movement.
TCI’s planned vessel acquisitions are expected to strengthen its operational capabilities and support future growth in coastal freight volumes as the company expands its maritime logistics network across India.
