The Inland Waterways Authority of India signed an MoU with Rhenus Logistics India to deploy 100 cargo vessels with pusher tugs along NW-1, NW-2, NW-16, and Indo-Bangladesh Protocol routes. Phase one, beginning Q3 2025, includes 20 barges and six tugs. This partnership supports the Jal Marg Vikas Project, aimed at enhancing inland waterway transport on National Waterway-1. The initiative will boost cargo movement, reduce logistics costs, and expand India’s waterways infrastructure, making the IWT sector more competitive and efficient.

India's textile industry is grappling with disruptions after Bangladesh closed its land ports for yarn imports, impacting around 30% of Indian yarn exports—mainly dyed and special yarn. With land routes blocked, exporters are exploring alternatives like sea transport and inland waterways. However, concerns over increased lead times persist, as 70% of existing exports already move via sea. Siddhartha Rajagopal of TEXPROCIL suggested using smaller ships from Kolkata to ease delays, but timely delivery remains a key challenge for maintaining supply chain efficiency.

A massive explosion at Iran’s Bandar Abbas Port on Saturday killed at least 28 people and injured around 800, according to state media. The blast occurred in the Shahid Rajaei section, reportedly triggered by chemical materials igniting in storage containers. Officials cited poor handling of flammable substances as a contributing factor. Iran’s Customs Administration blamed the disaster on hazardous goods stockpiled in the port area. Crisis management spokesperson Hossein Zafari confirmed earlier warnings had been issued about the risks posed by the stored chemicals.

The Inland Waterways Authority of India recorded an all-time high cargo movement of 145.5 million tonnes in FY 2024-25. The number of national waterways rose from 5 to 111, with operational length expanding to 4,894 km. Over 68% of cargo comprised coal, iron ore, sand, and fly ash. Under the Jalvahak Scheme, cargo owners receive a 35% operating cost incentive on key routes like NW-1, NW-2, and NW-16. IWAI aims to raise the freight share to 5% and reach 500 MMT by 2047.

Indian Railways is piloting a new short-haul freight initiative in Gujarat and Maharashtra to make rail transport more competitive with road. Currently, rail costs ₹1.36 per tonne/km—nearly double road freight. The plan includes pricing reforms, 100,000 new sidings for last-mile connectivity, and public-private partnerships to attract investment. With dedicated freight terminals rising from 1,875 to 4,300 between FY14 and FY24, the ecosystem is primed for expansion. The goal is to raise rail’s freight share from 28% to 35%, supporting decarbonisation and sustainable urban logistics across India.