The Cochin Port Trust (CPT) has augmented its Container Freight Station (CFS) and pre-stage facility on Willingdon Island to support the International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) operations.
To control processing time for export containers before shipment through the new ICTT, the Port Trust has commenced pre-processing facility at its Ernakulam wharf, providing single window processing for facilitating customs clearance for export containers from the domestic area. The pre-stage also provides clearance for the containers imported through the ICTT.
The facility is set up in the Q-7 ramp inside Ernakulam wharf and is equipped to accommodate 30 container vehicles at a time. Adequate parking facility is also provided for vehicles awaiting on-wheel examination at the ramp.
Customs clearance procedures like seal verification, detailed examination and other documentation procedure will be carried out 24 hours a day at the facility. The Cochin Customs is facilitating speedy clearance of containers through the facility by providing adequate number personnel.
Storage space is provided for the exim containers that require grounding and storage awaiting plant quarantine, port health organisation and other statutory clearances. About 151 plug points for reefer containers have been provided to cater to the containerised sea food exports requiring storage facility.
The pre-stage facility is located close to the Ro-Ro terminal on Willingdon Island, which facilitates quick transfer of containers to ICTT at Vallarpadam.
The port has also enhanced facilities at its existing CFS to meet the increasing volumes following the commissioning of the ICTT. The freight station, having a covered space of 10,000 sqm, the largest facility in and around Kochi, is located next to the Ro-Ro terminal.
Stuffing and de-stuffing for LCL (less than container load) and FCL (full container load) containers are currently undertaken in two shifts, according to a CPT release.
The CFS with a dedicated customs formation facilitates prompt documentation like out of charge, Let-Export Order assessment / appraising and post-documentation like inspection and delivery are facilitated under one roof.
Service of ramp facility for on-wheel stuffing and destuffing and lift on / lift off services of containers have been introduced. The CFS is also equipped with online connectivity with customs EDI and port ERP system and generates real-time billing and documentation.
