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The Kochi-based Lots Shipping, which is currently operating the ro-ro barge service between Willingdon Island and Vallarpadam Terminal, has announced reduction in transportation charges of containers.
The new rates for ferrying of a 20' Trailer will be Rs 750 (in the place of tariff rate of Rs 1,000) and the new rate for a 40' container will be Rs 1,350 (in the place of tariff rate of Rs 1,667).
The concessional rate announced by the company should help reduce the cost of movement of containers from South, especially those of cashew, coir and seafood.
The lesser rates will make usage of the container yards in Willingdon Island cheaper and obviously sustain the employment at the private yards in the Island.
Plea for reduction
A decision in this regard has been taken after the Kochi port authorities had initiated discussions with various agencies in the transport sector following the requests from the EXIM trade to control the cost of transportation of containers to the newly commissioned International Container Transshipment Terminal.
On the concern raised by certain transporters about the risk coverage of cargo and truck while being ferried, Lots Shipping has reiterated that the cargo and truck on the ro-ro vessel is covered under the Protection and Indemnity Insurance.
According to company officials, the starting of ro-ro service has now become a moral imperative to ensure more traffic to be diverted through water transport mode.
At a time when the city roads are experiencing congestion, the authorities should think of measures to promote water transport for the movement cargo as it would decongest the roads and pave the way for container trailers to keep off the roads.
Bids invited
Meanwhile, the port has invited fresh bids for leasing of 7.5 hectares close to the ICTT at Vallarpadam Island.
The land is being leased out for a period of 30 years for the development of a cargo and logistics park.
The cargo and logistics complex will serve the international container terminal, which has no adequate CFS space right now.
At a meeting of stakeholders regarding the operations of the new container terminal early last month, the port authorities assured that more space would be made available on Vallarpadam Island for handling export-import containers.
The port trust has already augmented its CFS and pre-stage facilities on Willingdon Island.
A pre-stage facility to control the processing time for export containers has also been launched at the Ernakulam wharf, which acts as a single-window processing facility for Customs clearance of export containers from the domestic area and for providing clearance for containers imported through the ICTT.
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