Railways runs double-stacked dwarf container train Mehsana to JNPT

March 5, 2021: Indian Railways undertook a successful trial run of a double-stacked dwarf container train from Mehsana (Gujarat) to JN Port on March 3, 2021.

The dwarf container provides a 67 percent increase in volume when double-stacked and can carry a weight of 71 tonnes, against 40 tonnes by an ISO container. Indian Railways has given a 17 percent discount on haulage cost for double-stack dwarf container trains compared to double stack ISO container trains coupled with additional volume benefit.

JN Port is in the process of finalizing an operator for management, maintenance and operation of a dedicated dwarf container depot (D-Depot) inside the port area at JNPT. Inside the D-Depot ISO EXIM containers will be destuffed/restuffed and then re-stuffed in dwarf containers for further movement on the rail to and from JN Port.

The concept of dwarf container would be a game-changer as the rail movement of EXIM cargo through double stacked dwarf containers would significantly provide a cost advantage to the customers and enhance rail traffic at JN Port.