News Bulletin: June 2025 – Edition 2
1. China Praises India’s Rapid Rescue of Cargo Ship Crew Off Kerala Coast
China’s Embassy has lauded India’s prompt and professional rescue efforts following an explosion and fire on the Singapore-flagged container ship MV Wan Hai 503, approximately 44 nautical miles off Kerala’s Azhikkal coast on June 9, 2025. Of the 22 crew members aboard – 14 of whom were Chinese, including six from Taiwan – 18 were rescued, while four remain missing. The Indian Navy and Coast Guard swiftly deployed firefighting and search operations. Beijing expressed its gratitude and extended best wishes for the continuing rescue and the recovery of the injured crew.
Source: ET Infra
2. World’s Largest Container Ship MSC Irina Docks at Vizhinjam Port
The MSC Irina, boasting a record 24,346 TEU capacity, made a historic maiden arrival at Vizhinjam International Seaport – India’s first deep-water facility – marking its first call at a South Asian port. The vessel measures nearly 400 m in length and offers a 4% reduction in carbon emissions. Kerala’s Chief Minister and Adani Ports’ leadership welcomed the ship with a ceremonial water salute. The docking solidifies Vizhinjam’s status as a strategic transshipment hub capable of accommodating Ultra-Large Container Vessels and underscores its role in enhancing regional maritime connectivity
Source: India Shipping News
3. India & Japan Partner to Develop Smart Islands in Andaman, Nicobar & Lakshadweep
India and Japan have agreed to collaborate on transforming the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep archipelagos into pioneering “Smart Islands.” The joint initiative emphasizes deployment of renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and smart mobility systems, alongside disaster-resilient construction and green port development. Discussions also covered boosting maritime cooperation – including shipbuilding, port digitization, and training of seafarers – and fostering R&D and upskilling in Indian maritime professionals. This strategic partnership not only aims to enhance regional connectivity and sustainability but also aligns with broader Indo-Pacific security and economic goals.
Source: ET Infra
4. Allcargo Gati Launches 24‑Hour Air Express Service Across 8 Metro Cities
Allcargo Gati has expanded its Air Express service to eight major metro cities – Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad – offering guaranteed within‑24‑hour delivery for time‑sensitive sectors like pharmaceuticals, electronics, garments, auto, and retail. Supported by connectivity to 34 commercial airports nationwide, the service also features late cutoff times, late pickups, and next‑day delivery options. Enhancing its earlier tier‑2 city links to Varanasi and Imphal, this strategic expansion solidifies Allcargo Gati’s position as a reliable logistics partner for high‑volume, urgent shipments
Source: India Shipping News
5. India Eyes Top 5 Global Shipbuilding Position by 2047: Vivek Merchant
India has set an ambitious target to become one of the top five global shipbuilders by 2047, according to Vivek Merchant, Chairman of the National Shipping Board. He highlighted the need for policy consistency, investment in shipyards, and alignment with sustainability goals. At Singapore Maritime Week, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also emphasized green hydrogen hubs, low-emission shipping, and international collaborations as part of this vision. Achieving this milestone could significantly boost India’s maritime economy, increase cargo handling from 6% to 15%, and support the nation’s broader infrastructure and economic ambitions.
Source: ET Infra
6. Eka Infra Leverages AI & IoT to Modernize Railway Maintenance
Eka Infra’s latest blog showcases how AI, IoT, and machine learning are revolutionizing railway upkeep with predictive and real-time monitoring. The integrated system captures sensor data and analyzes track and asset conditions to forecast failures, minimize unplanned downtime, and enhance safety. By deploying intelligent diagnostics and automated alerts, maintenance teams can prioritize interventions, optimize resource allocation, and extend asset lifecycles. The move toward predictive maintenance marks a major step in creating smarter, more reliable rail infrastructure – reflecting Eka Infra’s vision for digital transformation across sectors.
Source: Eka Infra
