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V. Sajeev Kumar

Kochi, Sept. 5 Aggrieved by the situation faced in the container terminal due to congestion, some of the seafood exporters in Kochi are planning to make their shipments through Tuticorin to meet the exporting needs.

The terminal is experiencing congestion in the recent period due to the heavy unloading of imported raw cashew from various destinations, sources in the marine export sector said. Even though the terminal operator, DP World, had taken several steps to ease the situation, seafood exporters are of the view that piling up of raw cashew containers in the terminal is blocking the stacking of reefer containers with marine products.

Sources in the seafood exporting community pointed out that there are about 150 reefer plugging points in the terminal and the seafood consignments did not get adequate space for plugging on account of heavy stacking of imported containers in those places. After the ban on trawling was lifted, this season has a bumper catch and the problems in the terminal is dashing the hopes of marine exporters, they said.

It is pointed out that August, September and October are considered to be the best season for seafood exports. Because of the problems, more than 100 containers with marine products are awaiting shipment in various factories in and around Kochi.

“If the situation persists, the exporters, especially from Alappuzha and Kollam area, are left with no other option but to move cargo to Tuticorin even if the transportation costs are high,” the sources said.

According to them, this is the main season for exports, particularly to the EU countries, since it is summer vacation. Though every store is full with stocks, the movement is slow from Kochi to that part of the world, they added.

Senior officials at the DP World denied reports of not providing enough reefer plug points to seafood consignments. There was some shortage for reefer plug points a week back due to congestion and disruption in vessel schedule.

Even at the peak congestion time, the terminal would be able to provide 135 reefer plug points and only 15-20 plug points were blocked. With the situation now under control, the terminal is able to provide all the 150 reefer plug points to meet the export requirements of marine products, he said.

DP World is awaiting permission from the Customs Department to move containers lying for more than seven days to private CFS. The congestion, he said, is now under control as the outward delivery has increased on account of the Onam festival season.

The company has taken all out efforts to bring back vessel schedules to normal and there were no ships awaiting berthing in the outer channel as on today.

Besides, the Customs Department had extended all cooperation to work till 8 p.m., which will enable customers to deliver more containers in a day. The officials hoped that all these joint efforts will help bring normalcy in a short period.

More Stories on : Shipping/Ports | Exports & Imports | Cashew

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