CWC to handle re-export cargoes at JNPT

State-run Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) can now handle an import shipment meant for re-export to a third country.

"Customs authorities has notified CWC's facility near Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust as international trans-shipment LCL (less than container load) hub. CWC is the only one which has secured this type of a recognition to handle re-export cargoes," said Ajay Khera, Executive Director (Commercial) CWC.

This would mean that CWC's container freight station (CFS) at Dronagiri near J N Port can handle import cargoes meant for other countries.

For instance, CWC can handle import shipments from Singapore destined for US.

Explains CWC Manager A K Dubey: "The import cargo which needs to be re-exported to other countries will reach us from among the shipments destined for India. Then we will sort out the cargoes meant for re-export to other international locations. This would mean additional money for CWC and will be advantageous for shippers and shipping lines."

Earlier, Indian cargoes were transshipped to Colombo, Singapore and Dubai as country's ports do not have direct and bigger vessels connecting leading international destinations.

So these cargos will have to be moved to other countries which offer direct shipping services.

"Now with the J N Port having direct services to almost all international destinations, it is easy to ship re-export cargoes. This will help shippers also to get more connectivity," Dubey said. Shipping sources said that this will increase the capability of CWC to fill full-container loads (FCL).

Meanwhile, the CWC has joined hands with the Dubai-based Sharaf Group-promoted Hind Terminals to construct a Rs 200 crore logistics park.

The CWC Logistic Park has been constructed on a 30-hectare plot and is about 15 km from J N Port.

The facility is being developed in two phases, and Phase 1 ( 12.8 ha) has been completed and the commercial operations have begun.

Three warehouses, of 30,000 sq ft each, have been constructed for import, export and bonded warehousing facilities, along with a fully-paved area of 70,000 sq m for a container yard and can handle 10,000 to 12,000 containers per month.

The facility is equipped with four of the latest Kalmar Machines along with a fleet of 3-tonne, 5-tonne and 12-tonne forklifts stationed at the facility to provide the necessary cargo-related services.

The work on the second phase is on in full swing, and should be completed in the first quarter of 2008. On completion, the facility would have covered warehouses of 300,000 sq ft which will cater to the diverse requirements of trade, with cold storage facilities.

This will be the only private logistics park in Dronagiri with rail siding, which will help the movement of bulk train loads directly to this facility.

Mukesh Oza, Director, Hind Terminals, said: "The rail siding infrastructure will provide straight transport to containers from port to trains thereby significantly bringing down the transportation time."