Container operations set to begin at Kakinada port from Nov 15

The Kakinada container terminal is all set to commence operations from November 15 at the deep water port.

The announcement was made at a formal launch function here on Thursday night by the terminal authorities. The Kakinada container terminal has been set up by a joint venture comprising Bothra Shipping Services Pvt Ltd of Visakhapatnam, the Singapore-based PSA group, and Kakinada Infrastructure Holdings Pvt Ltd. Orient Express Lines (OEL) will launch feeder services with a capacity of 1,100 TEUs on the Chittagong-Kakinada-Colombo route and the Haldia-Kakinada-Singapore route.

This is the third container terminal in the State after Visakhapatnam and Krishnapatnam.  K.V. Rao, the CMD of Kakinada Seaports Ltd, said Kakinada had emerged as a clean and integrated port with the setting up of a container terminal.

"We have mechanised handling systems and the container terminal will serve the needs of seafood and other exporters in the region. The hinterland, the two Godavari districts, are rich in agri products," he said.

PSA India Managing Director Mike Formos said KCT would cater to the needs of exporters of agri products in the Krishna-Godavari region. It would offer a freight advantage for exporters of rice, seafood, ceramics, paper, and agro products. 

Ajit Bothra, the director of Bothra Shipping Services, said KCT would bring down logistics costs and spur exim trade in the region.

D. Surya Rao, President of the Cocanada Chamber of Commerce, said it was a landmark event in the growth of Kakinada port.

sarma.rs@thehindu.co.in

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