Diesel rationing chokes Mundra, Kandla freight; container moves crash 80%, onion prices spike

Gujarat and Maharashtra diesel curbs cap trucks at 50L vs 200L needed, collapsing port container throughput from 5,000 to 1,000/day. Spot freight up 30% to ₹1,400-1,500/tonne; onion arrivals at Vashi APMC halve, retail prices jump from ₹10-12 to ₹15/kg. MSME and agri chains exposed.

— Source publishedTue, 26 May, 2026, 14:50 IST·First seen Tue, 26 May, 2026, 14:52 IST·Source The Hindu BusinessLine

What happened

Mundra Port · Diesel rationing in Gujarat and Maharashtra is choking freight from Mundra and Kandla ports, slashing container movement 80%, lifting spot freight

Key facts

  • 50 litres per truck cap
  • 200 litres needed
  • 5,000 to 1,000 containers/day
  • ₹125-145/litre industrial
  • ₹95/litre retail
  • freight up 30%
  • ₹1,100 to ₹1,400-1,500/tonne
  • onion arrivals 110 to 70-80 trucks
  • onion ₹10-12 to ₹15/kg

Why this matters

Scout distressed regional trucking and cold-chain MSMEs facing working capital stress from the diesel cap as bolt-on targets to lock in capacity ahead of normalization.

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