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To enhance its presence in eastern India, K Line, the Japanese shipping major, has entered into slot chartering arrangement with NYK-led TCX (Thailand- East India) service covering the east coast ports of Visakhapatnam and Chennai. The new arrangement will come into force from September 7, according to shipping industry sources.
The port rotation will be: Laem Chabang – Singapore – Port Klang – Chennai – Visakhapatnam – Port Klang – Singapore – Laem Chabang. With this, the transit time between Laem Chabang and Chennai will be reduced to eight days, it is claimed.
K Line is also a partner in the SCI-led consortium that runs INDFEX 2 service covering Chennai-Visakhapatnam- Shenzhen-Shekou- Hongkong – Shanghai – Busan, the other partners being PIL and Hanjin. However, the number of slots allotted to the Japanese line in this service is not enough, it is felt.
Throughput up
Meanwhile, the throughput at Visakha container terminal at Visakhapatnam port is steadily rising. In 2010-11, the throughput was 1,50,000 TEUs posting a growth of 48 per cent. The figure this fiscal is likely to cross the 2,00,000 TEUs mark, recording an estimated growth of 35 per cent, though on a higher base.
west-bound mainline service
VCTPL, the J M Baxi Group-D P World joint venture that runs the terminal, is hopeful of more mainline vessels calling at the terminal shortly. Discussion is at an advanced stage for starting a west-bound mainline service. Right now, there are four mainline services out of the terminal and several feeder services with transhipment cargo posting an impressive growth, the highest in the country. Once the west-bound mainline service starts, the terminal, it is felt, will be able to attract lots of west-bound cargo from Kolkata/Haldia and Chittagong.
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