Birgunj Dry Port Welcomes First Rail Shipment of Crude Oil
19 March 2025
Birgunj Dry Port in Nepal has received a rail consignment of 90 tank containers carrying 20,000 tons of crude soybean oil for the first time. This milestone signifies a major advancement in Nepal's trade logistics, marking the shift from expensive and logistically challenging road transport to more efficient rail container shipments, which is expected to reduce transportation costs by about 15%. The shipment was imported by Shivashakti Pvt. Ltd. from Argentina via India's Haldia Port.
Officials from the Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board (NITDB) highlighted the benefits of this approach, including improved security, reduced leakage and theft, and relief from road tanker shortages. The move is part of Birgunj Dry Port’s broader modernization program, following its expansion last year to handle additional cargo types like coal. Mr. Ashish Gajurel, NITDB's Executive Director, emphasized that these developments will facilitate international trade and help the port operate at full capacity, ultimately streamlining logistics and reducing costs for Nepalese importers.
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