An April 2026 Steel Coil Logistics Operation by Khimji Ramdas Shipping
How complex can a contingency-driven logistics project become?
Well… here is one.
During April 2026, Khimji Ramdas Shipping successfully managed and executed a highly complex steel coil logistics project involving 1,220 steel coils with a total weight of approximately 31,000 MT, moving from Mumbai Port, India, to Sohar Port, Oman, followed by final delivery to six destinations across the United Arab Emirates.
The operation took place amid the prevailing war situation in the Middle East and the resulting complications in Gulf of Oman waters. The contingency diverted UAE-bound shipments through Omani ports and created exceptionally high demand among vessel owners for berthing at Sohar. Against this background, the project involved route and berthing uncertainty, multiple clients, mixed cargo, tight delivery requirements and continuous coordination across several stakeholders.
Project at a Glance
- Project handled by: Khimji Ramdas Shipping
- Port of Loading: Mumbai Port, India
- Port of Discharge: Sohar Port, Oman
- Final Destination: United Arab Emirates
- Total Cargo: Approximately 31,000 MT
- Number of Coils: 1,220
- Bills of Lading Handled: 32
- Individual Coil Weight: Approximately 22–27 MT
- Flatbed Trailer Movements (at 55–65 MT payload): Approximately 480–565
- Number of Clients: 9
- Delivery Destinations: 6 across the UAE
- Project Period: April 2026
The Regional Contingency
The first layer of complexity arose from the regional contingency. The diversion of UAE-bound cargo through Oman, combined with vessel owners’ high demand for Sohar berthing, created uncertainty in routing, vessel scheduling and onward planning before the landside operation began.
A further operational challenge awaited at the Steinweg yard, where the cargo was stored in a mixed condition with no BL-wise or client-wise physical segregation.
With 32 Bills of Lading and cargo belonging to nine different clients, the Khimji Ramdas Shipping team had to identify and allocate the correct coils for each customer and destination daily. Every movement required careful planning, verification and coordination.
The project involved:
- Daily identification of coils on a client-wise basis
- Managing approximately 480–565 flatbed trailer movements
- Coordinating deliveries for nine different clients
- Delivering to six destinations across various Emirates
- Managing constant trailer shortages
- Handling daily fluctuations in transportation costs
- Working around changes in Steinweg’s daily productivity
- Coordinating customs and border formalities
- Maintaining communication between the yard, transporters, customs, clients and delivery points
- Supporting operations through weekends and night shifts
- Responding to continuous pressure for fast and timely deliveries
With multiple clients requiring cargo simultaneously, accuracy and speed had to go hand in hand.
Turning Contingency into Execution
The success of the project depended on constant coordination, close monitoring and real-time problem-solving by the Khimji Ramdas Shipping team.
Every day presented fresh challenges. Berthing and routing requirements, trailer availability, yard productivity, transportation costs and client priorities could all change.
The team continuously reviewed the situation, adjusted the delivery plan and coordinated with the relevant stakeholders to keep the cargo moving.
From identifying the correct coils in a mixed yard to arranging the required equipment and coordinating customs, border crossings and final deliveries, the operation required constant attention and hands-on management from start to finish.
The team also worked across weekends and night shifts, ensuring that the project maintained momentum and that urgent client requirements could be addressed without unnecessary delays.
Delivery Under Contingency Conditions
Despite the regional contingency and the scale and complexity of the operation, Khimji Ramdas Shipping successfully completed the project during April 2026.
1,220 Coils
Approximately 31,000 MT
32 Bills of Lading
9 Clients
6 UAE Destinations
480–565 Flatbed Movements
Successfully Delivered.
More Than Transportation: Contingency Management
This project was not simply about transportation, port handling and customs clearance.
It was about identifying, coordinating, troubleshooting, firefighting and delivering under pressure.
The successful completion of this project demonstrated Khimji Ramdas Shipping’s ability to manage a large-scale, multi-client logistics operation under exceptional regional conditions, while maintaining focus on accuracy, responsiveness and customer satisfaction.
The project showcased the importance of strong operational coordination, flexibility and teamwork in successfully executing complex cargo movements.
One Mission. One Team. One Successful Delivery.
Approximately 31,000 MT. 1,220 Coils. 32 BLs. 9 Clients. 6 Destinations.
A contingency-driven challenge? Absolutely.
A successful delivery? Without a doubt.
