Coal is a strategic industrial commodity. Power plants, sponge iron units and cement factories depend on it. But coal does not reach the furnace until it passes through ports. Berthing delays, long unloading times and warehouse bottlenecks can turn a profitable shipment into a financial headache. Many buyers underestimate how much money is lost at ports instead of mines or markets. This is where smart logistics decisions change the game.

Why coal ports matter more than buyers think

Ports in India handle millions of tonnes of coal every month. One vessel delay can disrupt multiple downstream plants. Freight charges accumulate by the hour. Handling systems choke and the supply chain stalls.

Coal port issues include:

◾ Poor berth allocation

◾ Customs clearance delays

◾ Slow cargo discharge

◾ Lack of truck or rail evacuation

◾ Miscommunication between suppliers and port operators

These factors are not always visible in contracts, but they hit your bottom line harder than coal price fluctuations.

Demurrage is the most expensive mistake

Demurrage is the penalty paid when a vessel exceeds its allowed unloading window. Every extra day is a loss. Even a small delay can burn through the savings you expected from a favorable coal deal.

What causes demurrage:

◾ Late berth access

◾ Rain-affected unloading

◾ Suboptimal cargo planning

◾ Port labor shortages

◾ Equipment downtime

For coal importers, demurrage is not a line item you calculate later. It must be prevented upfront.

Congestion is predictable, not random

Indian ports do not congest by accident. There are patterns. Monsoon months slow down discharge due to rain and humidity. Certain terminals experience traffic spikes when multiple power companies book cargo at the same time.

Congestion triggers:

◾ Seasonal weather

◾ Festival closures

◾ Bulk vessel arrivals with overlapping windows

◾ Limited storage locations near berth

Experienced operators read these patterns before they finalize shipment windows. Buyers who ignore them pay the price in idle vessels and overtime charges.

Handling time is where minutes become money

Coal is sensitive. Excessive moisture breaks lumps into fines. Rough handling damages conveyors. Extra steps increase exposure to weather and contamination.

Poor handling leads to:

◾ Higher fuel consumption in downstream plants

◾ Reduced calorific value

◾ Dust losses

◾ Claims disputes with suppliers

Reducing handling time is not only about speed. It is about precision and consistent protection.

How to reduce coal port risk: practical strategies

1. Choose ports based on cargo type

Not every port is suited for every coal category. Some ports handle sub-bituminous coal better due to equipment designed for lower density material.

2. Use real-time ETA coordination

Track vessel schedules and adjust discharge windows with port authorities. A well-timed arrival can cut queue delays by days.

3. Implement cargo split strategies

Dividing large shipments into smaller parcels reduces peak congestion and distributes unloading risk.

4. Pre-plan evacuation logistics

Trucks, rakes and barges should be arranged before the vessel anchors. The port is not a storage yard. Coal must flow out as soon as it lands.

5. Monitor weather and rainfall patterns

Protective tarpaulins and covered conveyors reduce fines and moisture damage, especially during monsoon season.

Case-style example: unloading delays

A cement buyer imports a 65,000-tonne cargo. Berth congestion extends unloading by 4 days. Demurrage at USD 15,000 per day adds USD 60,000 to cost. On paper, the buyer negotiated a great coal price. In reality, port delays erased all savings.

If the buyer had:

◾ Selected a less congested terminal

◾ Booked a better laycan window

◾ Pre-arranged evacuation with rail operators

The vessel could have discharged in time, preserving margins.

Why working alone is risky

Coal logistics is multi-party. Vessel owners, chartering agents, customs officials, surveyors, terminal operators, yard contractors and transport partners all influence handling time. Procurement teams often lack the bandwidth to manage all these relationships.

That is where a supply partner with operational experience becomes invaluable.

How Gsinfotechvis reduces coal port losses

Gsinfotechvis Pvt Ltd is not just a coal seller. It is a logistics partner that understands port behavior, vessel scheduling and discharge management. The company works with ports in India and abroad to ensure shipments do not get stuck in bureaucratic or operational bottlenecks.

Clients benefit from:

◾ Proven port selection strategies

◾ Pre-negotiated discharge windows

◾ Customs and documentary support

◾ Moisture-controlled bulk handling

◾ Real-time vessel tracking and dispatch coordination

◾ Rail and road evacuation planning

Instead of waiting at congested berths or negotiating under pressure, buyers move cargo quickly and cleanly.

Coal quality matters, but so does coal movement. A shipment that sits at port is wasted capital. With Gsinfotechvis, buyers avoid demurrage traps, skip congestion and keep coal flowing from vessel to furnace without costly interruption. 

Know more about us on LinkedIn.