APSEZ Launches Empty Container Yard at Mundra Port

MUNDRA, India — Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ) announced on September 3, 2026, the launch of a dedicated Empty Container Yard (ECY) with integrated warehousing at Mundra Port and Special Economic Zone. The new facility provides end-to-end management across the lifecycle of empty containers, including storage, maintenance, inspection, and coordinated movement to exporters and Container Freight Stations (CFSs). The strategic launch aligns with the company's "Ambition 2031" growth plan, which targets adding over 6 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) of container handling capacity over the next five years.

Strategic Shift and Operational Capabilities

The establishment of the centralized Empty Container Yard moves empty container management directly within the Mundra Port SEZ boundaries. By bringing these operations inside port limits, APSEZ aims to improve vehicle turnaround times, reduce road congestion, and enforce stricter security and regulatory compliance.

• Comprehensive Storage: Dedicated space for holding idle container fleets across multiple shipping lines.

• Maintenance & Repair: On-site inspection, cleaning, and structural repair services.

• Streamlined Dispatch: Direct transfer protocols connecting empty units to regional exporters and local CFSs.

• Regulatory Oversight: Closer operational coordination among Customs authorities, terminal operators, and transporters.

The integrated yard is designed to process high-volume flows efficiently, easing logistical friction for trade channels connecting North and Northwest India.

Context and National Trade Impact

Mundra Port serves as India's largest commercial and container-handling port, managing nearly 35% of the nation's total containerized trade. The port handles an estimated 1.6 million TEUs of empty containers annually, supporting critical import and export supply chains. Nationally, APSEZ commands a 45.5% share of India's overall container market as of FY26.

Dedicating specialized infrastructure to empty container handling decouples idle box storage from active cargo terminal gates. This separation optimizes crane and yard utilization at primary terminals while lowering total logistics costs for shipping lines and cargo owners through faster equipment turnaround.

Official Sources Section

Details regarding the operational launch, statistical metrics, and strategic objectives were released through official press communications and corporate announcements issued by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited on September 3, 2026.

Quote Section

According to official executive statements released by APSEZ, Ashwani Gupta, Whole-time Director and Chief Executive Officer, stated:

"The dedicated Empty Container Yard at Mundra to be operated by APSEZ and/or partners will enhance efficiency across the container ecosystem by enabling faster turnaround times, reducing unnecessary container movements, and optimizing overall logistics costs."

Why It Matters

• For Exporters & Importers: Improves empty equipment availability for factory loading and reduces gate delays at port terminals.

• For Shipping Lines: Lowers dwell times for empty boxes, optimizing container asset circulation and reducing storage overhead.

• For Transport Operators: Streamlines truck movement inside the SEZ, curbing traffic bottlenecks on public access roads surrounding the port complex.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Facility: Dedicated Empty Container Yard (ECY) with integrated warehousing.

• Location: Mundra Port and Special Economic Zone, Gujarat.

• Mundra Capacity Context: Handles ~35% of India's container trade and 1.6 million TEUs of empty boxes annually.

• Corporate Target: Supports APSEZ's plan to add 6 million TEUs of capacity under its Ambition 2031 roadmap.

FAQ Section

What is the purpose of the new Empty Container Yard at Mundra Port?

The yard provides a dedicated space within the port SEZ for storing, inspecting, maintaining, and dispatching empty containers to improve overall supply chain efficiency.

How many empty containers does Mundra Port handle each year?

Mundra Port handles approximately 1.6 million TEUs of empty containers annually.

What is APSEZ's total share of India's container market?

APSEZ accounts for 45.5% of India's total container market share as of FY26.

Source: Official Statements and Regulatory Disclosures by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ).