Cochin Port attracts exporters away from Tamil Nadu

The port, which is already catering to exporters in the western region is on an aggressive growth plan to promote the International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) in the port. Earlier this year, Cochin Port Trust and the Container Corporation of India Ltd (Concor) introduced weekly container train service from Concor’s container depot at Irugur near Coimbatore to ICTT to attract exporters. 

“Exporters in this region are taken into confidence by this as cargo transportation by rail to the port will not only entail huge reduction in costs but also safe movement of goods,” S Nandakumar, spokesperson of a leading pump-set manufacturer in Coimbatore told DT Next.

Moreover, Concor has also implemented a special scheme with effect from April 14 to transport empty containers from Cochin Port to Irugur free of cost. “Since movement of empty containers from Cochin to Coimbatore was one major contributor to the cost, exporters are now able to cut down costs,” a Concor official said. To reach out to exporters in western region, Cochin Port Trust has also conducted interactive sessions in Salem and Erode to throw light about the measures taken to handle the cargo from this region in a cost effective and efficient manner.

During an interactive session held at Erode recently, G Senthilvel, Chairman in-charge of Cochin Port Trust said that the port provides a savings of seven days in transit time and savings of US$ 100-200 (Rs 6,700-13,400) in overall supply chain cost for Europe bound exports.

Industrialists in Erode, especially those in the food processing industry, were enthusiastic about supplies to cruise vessels and other vessels calling at the Cochin Port. 

On the other hand, to help the speedy movement of cargoes by road from western region to ICTT, Kerala government introduced a Green Channel at the Walayar checkpost in Tamil Nadu-Kerala border for vehicle, sales tax and excise for EXIM cargo. “This has resulted in quick clearance of both customs/excise sealed and self-sealed containers at the check post,” a sales tax official in Walayar said and added that this in turn has increased the volume of container handling in Cochin port.