India mulls new trans-shipment container terminals

Thursday, 03 October 2002, 19:30 IST
Printer Print Email Email
NEW DELHI: India is mulling new trans-shipment container terminals with world-class facilities. "Modern trans-shipment container terminals are being set up in Kandla, Cochin, Vishakhapatnam and Tuticorin with world class facilities," Shipping Minister V. P. Goyal said here Tuesday at a trade meet jointly organized by the PHD Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Northern India Shippers' Association and the Kolkata Port Trust. "Efforts are also being made to open up waterways on the eastern front which are landlocked. These will act as feeders to Kolkata," Goyal said. Facilities in the other ports are will also be upgraded to reduce the turnaround and waiting time at all ports, the minister said. Urging the private sector to participate in the efforts to build up port infrastructure, Goyal said with more qualified people on the boards of the Port Trusts, efforts would be stepped up to resolve problems faced by the exporters. "Every month a board meeting would be held wherein the grievances of the private sector would be heard and all facilities would be made available to trade and industry," Goyal assured. Kolkata Port Trust chairman A. K. Chandra stated that Kolkata has become an upcoming shipping gateway to new opportunities offered by eastern region. "Kolkata port offers a competitive price edge to shippers. The total containers handled by Kolkata Port Trust so far this fiscal stood at 190,000 of which Kolkata handled 98,000 containers while Haldia handled 92,000 containers," said Chandra. During August the port handled 20,004 containers, the highest so far, with 10,151 being dealt with at Kolkata and 9,853 at Haldia. "The container handling is currently growing at 20 percent annually and this trend is likely to continue," said Chandra.
Source: IANS
siliconindia