Rail Operators Likely To Post Double-Digit Growth In FY25: Ind-Ra
20 Jan 2025
3 Min Read
CW Team
Rail operators' revenue is expected to grow into double-digit, while warehousing sector is projected to log a 3-5 per cent year-on-year growth in organic rentals this fiscal even as the demand for Grade-A space may remain intact, ratings agency India Ratings said on Friday. For sea transport, the ratings agency said, it is expecting port volumes will be supported by the coastal movement of goods and global container freight, with the easing of geopolitical tensions, including the Red Sea crisis and the normalisation of US-bound traffic.
EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) for container freight stations is expected to remain range-bound due to the increase in the proportion of direct port delivery and high competition intensity at large ports, according to Ind-Ra (India Ratings). Ind-Ra has also assigned an improving outlook for the logistics industry for FY26 and said that macro-tailwinds arising from the government's multipolar investments across ports, rail, road, and air transport are expected to bode well for the industry.
Sustained investments and the resultant increased scale of operations are expected to improve cost efficiency and operational flexibility which could lead to higher profitability for Ind-Ra-rated integrated logistics companies, said Pratik Mundhada, Associate Director, Corporates, Ind-Ra.
"In Ind-Ra's base case, we see double-digit revenue growth for rail operators in FY26, supported by huge private investments in rakes and dry terminals in 2024. For warehousing entities, we project organic rental growth of 3 -5 per cent year-on-year while demand for Grade-A spaces is expected to remain intact in FY26," he stated.
Container freight stations' profitability, according to Mundhada, is likely to remain subdued in this fiscal due to intense competition.
"Lastly, for freight forwarders, revenue growth and EBITDA are likely to be impacted by a moderation in the global freight rates," he added.
The ratings agency noted that initiatives such as the National Logistics Policy and the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan aim to enhance multimodal connectivity and foster interdisciplinary coordination.
Further, it stated that public-private partnerships are expected to expected to scale-up the ports portfolio.
Also, increased private capital expenditure towards the network expansion of trains, dry terminals, and warehousing will support the growth of the logistics market in India, it said and added that India's Logistics Performance Index ranking improved to 38 in 2023 from 44 in 2018, with an aspiration to break into the top 25 by 2030 as part of Maritime Vision 2030.
Rail operators' revenue is expected to grow into double-digit, while warehousing sector is projected to log a 3-5 per cent year-on-year growth in organic rentals this fiscal even as the demand for Grade-A space may remain intact, ratings agency India Ratings said on Friday. For sea transport, the ratings agency said, it is expecting port volumes will be supported by the coastal movement of goods and global container freight, with the easing of geopolitical tensions, including the Red Sea crisis and the normalisation of US-bound traffic. EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) for container freight stations is expected to remain range-bound due to the increase in the proportion of direct port delivery and high competition intensity at large ports, according to Ind-Ra (India Ratings). Ind-Ra has also assigned an improving outlook for the logistics industry for FY26 and said that macro-tailwinds arising from the government's multipolar investments across ports, rail, road, and air transport are expected to bode well for the industry. Sustained investments and the resultant increased scale of operations are expected to improve cost efficiency and operational flexibility which could lead to higher profitability for Ind-Ra-rated integrated logistics companies, said Pratik Mundhada, Associate Director, Corporates, Ind-Ra. In Ind-Ra's base case, we see double-digit revenue growth for rail operators in FY26, supported by huge private investments in rakes and dry terminals in 2024. For warehousing entities, we project organic rental growth of 3 -5 per cent year-on-year while demand for Grade-A spaces is expected to remain intact in FY26, he stated. Container freight stations' profitability, according to Mundhada, is likely to remain subdued in this fiscal due to intense competition. Lastly, for freight forwarders, revenue growth and EBITDA are likely to be impacted by a moderation in the global freight rates, he added. The ratings agency noted that initiatives such as the National Logistics Policy and the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan aim to enhance multimodal connectivity and foster interdisciplinary coordination. Further, it stated that public-private partnerships are expected to expected to scale-up the ports portfolio. Also, increased private capital expenditure towards the network expansion of trains, dry terminals, and warehousing will support the growth of the logistics market in India, it said and added that India's Logistics Performance Index ranking improved to 38 in 2023 from 44 in 2018, with an aspiration to break into the top 25 by 2030 as part of Maritime Vision 2030.
Next Story
Silawat Launches Projects Worth Rs 120 Million in Sanwer
Water Resources Minister Tulsi Ram Silawat inaugurated and laid foundation stones for over 100 infrastructure projects valued at more than Rs 120 million during a large-scale public event in Sanwer on Sunday.Addressing the gathering, Silawat emphasised the rapid development seen in Sanwer over the past six years. 鈥淒evelopment works worth several crores have been completed across all 15 wards,鈥� he noted. The projects cover a wide range of civic improvements including cement concrete roads, drainage systems, stormwater lines, bridges, anganwadi centres, community halls, cremation grounds, pl..
Next Story
JSW Trust Sells Rs 12.1 Billion Stake to Aid Akzo Deal
The Sajjan Jindal Family Trust has divested a 2 per cent stake in JSW Infrastructure Ltd 鈥� India鈥檚 second-largest commercial port operator 鈥� for Rs 12.1 billion, selling shares to institutional investors including the Government of Singapore. The move is part of efforts to comply with public shareholding norms and potentially fund JSW Group鈥檚 planned acquisition of Akzo Nobel India.Of the total divestment, 0.88 per cent was offloaded directly to Singapore鈥檚 sovereign entity, which acquired approximately 18.4 million shares via block deals at Rs 288 each, amounting to Rs 5.31 billion,..
Next Story
Maharashtra Approves Shipbuilding Policy to Boost Maritime Sector
The Maharashtra government has approved a new shipbuilding policy to bolster the state鈥檚 maritime infrastructure and promote ship repair and recycling industries. The Maharashtra Shipbuilding, Ship Repair, and Ship Recycling Facility Development Policy 2025 was cleared in the latest cabinet meeting, with a Government Resolution (GR) issued on Friday.This move is expected to attract fresh investments, generate employment, and contribute to foreign exchange savings by reducing reliance on overseas shipyards. The policy aligns with the central government鈥檚 Maritime India Vision 2030 and Marit..