JNPT lifts ban on metal scrap containers

Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) has revoked the temporary suspension of handling of import containers carrying iron and steel scrap at the port and its private terminal Nhava Sheva International Container Terminal (NSICT) following easing of congestion.

"The decision follows a marginal decline in traffic handling at the port in the last two months due to suspension of metal scrap handling and the requests from several trade bodies as there is no container backlog," a senior JNPT official said.

JNPT, which handles over 58 per cent of the country's container traffic, had suspended handling of import containers of metal scrap in November, 2004, in the wake of severe congestion.

There have been requests from Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC), Container Corporation Of India Ltd (Concor) and the Federation Of Freight Forwarders Association Of India (FFFAI) to revoke the suspension. The port, including NSICT, is estimated to handle over 3,000 TEUS (twenty feet equivalent units) of iron and steel scrap per month, he said.

"The current yard inventory and pendency levels of containers at port destined to interland container depots and container freight stations are within the manageable limits," he added.