Ahmedabad: Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. (APSEZ) has announced plans to establish a dedicated Empty Container Yard (ECY) at Mundra Port and its Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Gujarat. According to the company, the facility will integrate the storage, inspection, maintenance and movement of empty containers to exporters and Container Freight Stations (CFSs).
APSEZ said the proposed yard could reduce avoidable container movements, improve the availability of empty containers and help optimise logistics costs for shipping lines, exporters and other customers.
1.6 Million TEUs of Empty Containers Annually
The company estimates that Mundra handles around 1.6 million TEUs of empty containers annually. APSEZ said it held a 45.5% share of India’s container market in FY26, while Mundra Port accounted for nearly 35% of the country’s container trade.
Capacity Expansion Roadmap
The initiative is part of APSEZ’s Ambition 2031 roadmap. The company plans to add more than 6 million TEUs of container-handling capacity across its network over the next five years, with Mundra expected to play a central role in the expansion strategy.
The ECY is proposed to offer storage, maintenance and inspection services for empty containers, along with coordinated movement to exporters and CFSs. APSEZ said the facility may be operated by the company directly or through partners, including shipping lines and CFS operators.
Focus on Coordination and Compliance
Ashwani Gupta, Whole-time Director and Chief Executive Officer of APSEZ, said the on-site facility is intended to improve efficiency across the container ecosystem. He said it could help reduce turnaround time, minimise unnecessary container movement and optimise logistics costs.
By locating empty-container operations within the Mundra Port SEZ, the company expects closer coordination among Customs authorities, terminal operators, transporters and shipping lines. APSEZ also said on-site operations could strengthen safety, security and regulatory compliance.
What is an Empty Container Yard?
An Empty Container Yard is a facility where containers that have been unloaded after import are stored, inspected and repaired, if required, before being redeployed for export cargo. A yard located within or near a port can reduce the need to move empty containers to distant depots, potentially improving turnaround time and lowering transportation-related costs.
APSEZ’s Current Capacity and 2030 Target
APSEZ operates 16 ports and terminals in India and has a cargo-handling capacity of 653 million tonnes per annum, according to the company. It has set a target of handling 1 billion tonnes of cargo throughput by 2030.
