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Gateway Distriparks (Kerala) Ltd (GDKL) has started container freight station (CFS) operations, handling export container through the ICTT Vallarpadam.
This is the first container freight station located opposite to ICTT Vallarpadam to facilitate the exim trade in the region.
Spread across 6.5 acres, the CFS will have warehousing facilities and container storage facilities.
It will also provide for a separate area which will permit Customs authorities to inspect cargo on wheels.
These combined facilities, along with the CFS's proximity to ICTT, will primarily help in lowering transaction costs for importers and exporters and strengthen the trade.
GDKL owns another 22 acres of land in Kalamassery which will be developed in the next phase, the officials said.
GDKL, incorporated in 2006, is a joint venture between GDL and Chakiat Group with 60 per cent and 40 per cent respectively.
GDL is one of the largest players in the container logistics industry with CFSs at Mumbai, Chennai, Vizag and now Kochi and rail-linked ICDs (inland container depots) near Gurgaon (NCR), Ludhiana and Faridabad.
Chakiat is a well-established business group into shipping and related activities since 1952. Chakiat is also a shareholder of ICTT.
GDL is a container logistics company with pan-India presence providing CFS and ICD services. The company and operates two large CFSs at the JNPT.
It also operates cold chain logistics business through its subsidiary, Snowman Logistics Ltd (SLL), a joint venture with Mitsubishi Group and through another subsidiary, Gateway Rail Freight Ltd (GRFL).
It operates own container trains and rail-ICDs near Gurgaon, Ludhiana and Faridabad.
Sources in the shipping fraternity said that Kochi needs more number of container freight stations to cater to the exim trade in the region.
Vallarpadam terminal offers opportunities for Kochi to set up more number of CFS, the sources said adding that neighbouring ports have more number of CFS in the vicinity of respective major ports.
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