JNPA flags off new fleet of electric trucks at J M Baxi Group’s NSDT to propel sustainable port logistics

Sends message that India’s ports are ready to embrace the future: Sonowal

Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), India’s largest container port, on Thursday hosted the flagging off ceremony of a new fleet of Electric Vehicle (EV) trucks at the J M Baxi Group’s Nhava Sheva Distribution Terminal (NSDT). The event was graced by the esteemed presence of the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Mr Sarbananda Sonowal, as Chief Guest, along with Mr R. Lakshmanan, IAS, Joint Secretary, MoPSW, Mr Mahesh Baldi, MLA, Uran Constituency, Mr Unmesh Sharad Wagh, IRS, Chairperson, JNPA and CMD, VPPL, and Mr Dhruv Kotak, MD, J M Baxi Group. 

These are India’s first fleet of electric heavy trucks with swappable batteries. JNPA now has the largest EV truck fleet in any of India’s ports, boosting sustainable logistics.

This induction of state-of-the-art EV trucks marks another decisive stride in JNPA’s pursuit of decarbonisation and energy transition in the maritime and logistics ecosystem. The initiative reflects the Authority’s determination to align itself with global sustainability imperatives while also bolstering operational efficiency and reducing carbon footprints across cargo movement corridors, emphasised a communique.

A total of 50 trucks were flagged off, with the fleet expected to expand to 80 by the end of the year.

Logistics Cost Index MoU

During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between JNPA and Isaac Centre for Public Policy (ICPP), Ashoka University, Delhi, to create a Logistics Cost Index - a reference framework for port authorities to determine tariffs from both cost benchmarking and port benchmarking perspectives, across various cargo types and commodities.

Highlighting the Ministry’s vision, Mr Sonowal said: “Today, when JNPA takes a decisive step in electrifying its fleet of logistics vehicles, it sends a message far beyond port boundaries. It sends a message that India’s ports are ready to embrace the future, ready to pioneer practices that will set benchmarks for sustainability, efficiency and innovation. Across India, ports are introducing solar and wind power projects, LNG and hydrogen fuel infrastructure, and electrification of cargo handling equipment. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, we are ensuring that the Indian maritime sector not only keeps pace with global developments but also sets new benchmarks in sustainability and efficiency.”

He added: “In recent months, JNPA has consistently been in the news for the right reasons — be it ranking among the Top 25 Ports globally in the World Bank’s CPPI index, achieving records in container handling, or advancing key projects in the SEZ, digitalisation and green energy. Today’s event adds another jewel to that crown of achievements.”

Commented Mr Unmesh Sharad Wagh: “The launch of this new fleet of EV trucks represents not merely an incremental enhancement of our logistical arsenal, but a paradigmatic leap towards a cleaner, greener and more resilient future for port operations. As custodians of India’s largest container port, it is incumbent upon us to embrace innovation that reconciles economic dynamism with ecological responsibility. These EV trucks will serve as harbingers of a new era, wherein sustainability is not an adjunct to growth but its very foundation.”

This initiative carries special significance as JNPA, handling nearly half of India’s container trade, sets the pace for sustainable logistics at a national scale. The deployment of EV trucks here serves as a proof point for India’s broader logistics transformation under PM Gati Shakti and the National Logistics Policy (NLP). By deploying EV trucks within port operations, JNPA will be:

* Demonstrating alignment with national energy transition goals, particularly India’s net-zero commitment by 2070.

* Supporting the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) by showcasing commercial-scale EV adoption in high-throughput logistics.
* Reducing operational emissions, particulate pollution and noise within the port ecosystem.

 

* Establishing a replicable benchmark for other Major and non-major ports to follow in adopting EVs for cargo handling and last-mile connectivity.

 

Mr Dhruv Kotak, in his address, described JN Port as a trailblazer in developing new concepts and ideas, the move towards sustainable transportation and green energy being one of them. He assured the J M Baxi Group’s committed support to this endeavour of JNPA. He also highlighted that the operating cost of these vehicles will be much lower than those running on diesel.

The ceremony underscores JNPA’s steadfast commitment to the Government of India’s vision of reducing emissions in the maritime sector, as articulated under the Maritime India Vision 2030 and Green Ports initiative. With this initiative, JNPA continues to pioneer practices that integrate environmental stewardship with operational excellence, thereby reinforcing its position as a trailblazer in the nation’s port-led development, the communique highlighted.

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