Balmer Lawrie Signs Agreement with GATX India for Rail Logistics

Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd, a diversified Miniratna I Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, has signed an agreement with M/s GATX India Pvt. Ltd, the largest private railcar lessor in India. The partnership involves leasing three rakes of BFNS 22.9t wagons for the transportation of finished steel products from the Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) over distances exceeding 1,000 km.

The agreement was finalised on November 11, 2024, at Balmer Lawrie Headquarters in Kolkata. Key dignitaries included Mr Adhip Nath Palchaudhuri, Chairman and Managing Director of Balmer Lawrie, along with the Directors and Senior Officials from the Logistics Business of the company. Mr Robert Clair Lyons, President and CEO of GATX Corporation, and Mr Saurabh Sood, President and MD of GATX India Pvt. Ltd were also present.

Expanding Rail Logistics Portfolio

Balmer Lawrie ventured into the rail logistics sector with a strategic partnership with SAIL, RSP, on September 13, 2024. The company aims to cater to the growing market of rail logistics under the Liberalized Special Freight Train Operator (LSFTO) Scheme of Indian Railways. With this agreement, Balmer Lawrie further strengthens its commitment to advancing India’s freight solutions.

Commenting on the collaboration, the Chairman and Managing Director of Balmer Lawrie, Mr Adhip Nath Palchaudhuri, stated, “Entering into Rail Logistics is a significant business decision for Balmer Lawrie to grow its Domestic Transportation, and is a crucial milestone in our Strategic Vision of becoming a ₹6,000 crore company by 2030. The addition of dedicated BFNS 22.9t rakes will enable Balmer Lawrie to provide more streamlined and cost-effective logistics solutions to our esteemed customer SAIL.” 

He further added, “This venture also aligns with our commitment to sustainable logistics, reducing both operational costs and carbon footprint. This will also add to the EXIM value chain of Balmer Lawrie. Also, Balmer Lawrie has plans to get into the transportation of caustic soda and other bulk chemicals in future as the National Rail Plan 2030 aims to increase the modal share of the Railways in freight to 45%.”

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