Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), India's largest container port, has entered into a licence agreement with UAE-based logistics firm RSA Global for the development of an Empty Container Yard (ECY). According to reports from Business Standard, the 62-acre facility will be developed 3 km from the port terminals at Nhava Sheva and will be operated on a 30-year lease. The port stated that the facility will support faster turnaround, improved asset utilisation, and enhanced operational reliability for the maritime logistics sector. The upcoming facility, spread across 62 acres and planned on a 30-year lease, will be located just 3 km from JNPA's container terminals, designed with advanced infrastructure, automation and sustainability features.
The yard will be developed in a phased manner with specific timelines for completion. As reported by Business Standard, Phase I, comprising approximately 20 acres, is expected to be operational within 15-20 days, enabling storage and core yard operations. Phase II will add another 20 acres by January 2027, followed by the development of the remaining 21.7 acres under Phase III by May 2027, completing the 62-acre facility. The facility will provide an integrated suite of services catering to the complete lifecycle of empty containers, enabling shipping lines to manage equipment more efficiently while improving coordination across ports, terminals, Container Freight Stations (CFSs), Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Free Trade Warehousing Zones (FTWZs), and transport operators.
The facility will introduce advanced technologies in phases, including gate automation, AI-enabled CCTV surveillance, a Yard Management System (YMS), intelligent bay allocation system, driver utility facilities, and 'Container Eye' for automation of maintenance and repair processes. According to the JNPA statement, the yard will have the capability to handle multiple equipment types, including dry containers, reefer containers, ISO tanks, out-of-gauge (OOG)/project cargo equipment, and collapsible containers. The integrated suite of services will cater to the complete lifecycle of empty containers, enabling shipping lines to manage equipment more efficiently while improving coordination across ports, terminals, Container Freight Stations (CFSs), Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Free Trade Warehousing Zones (FTWZs), and transport operators. The facility will also integrate automation solutions such as Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS), Electric Overhead Travelling Systems (EOTS), Optical Character Recognition Systems (OCRS) and integrated IT platforms to improve visibility, efficiency and operational control.
The ECY will provide a comprehensive range of services, including empty container storage, maintenance and repair, pre-trip inspection, container survey and inspection, SOLAS weighment compliance, repositioning transportation, container fabrication and modification, and CFS transfers. The yard will be equipped to handle multiple equipment categories, including dry containers, reefer containers, ISO tanks, out-of-gauge/project cargo equipment and collapsible containers. The facility will operate 24x7 to support uninterrupted logistics movement and improve turnaround times for maritime stakeholders. JNPA stated that the facility will also incorporate strong health, safety, environment and quality (HSSEQ) practices, including renewable energy initiatives, green infrastructure, waste management systems and enhanced safety and security measures.
JNPA achieved record performance in 2025, handling 7.94 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of container cargo, the highest ever in a year in the port's history. As reported by Business Standard, cargo volume grew 12.64 per cent year-on-year (YoY) amid stable demand conditions and improved alignment across terminal operations, shipping lines, and service providers. Overall cargo throughput during 2025 reached 99.17 million metric tonnes, up 9.86 per cent YoY, demonstrating the port's continued growth trajectory and operational efficiency improvements. The development of the Empty Container Yard is part of JNPA's broader effort to expand its logistics ecosystem beyond port gates and provide integrated infrastructure solutions to support India's growing maritime trade.
