KOCHI:
Global trade enabler DP World operated India Gateway Terminal (DP World Cochin); India’s first transshipment gateway has created a new container handling record. The terminal has grown over 19% (volumes for the ten-month period April 2016 to January 2017) over the corresponding period of FY’15-’16. This is the highest growth rate achieved much ahead of closing of the current financial year. Last year, the terminal had achieved 14.5% growth over the previous fiscal year.
The terminal continues to remain highly productive, with an average Gross Crane Rate (GCR) of 32
moves per hour in 2017, which is in line with international standards. The truck turnaround time of 26 minutes, gate-to-gate, displays the terminal’s operational efficiency. All services, particularly those connecting the Far East, Middle East and Europe, have been doing exceptionally well.
In the pipeline is a new dedicated rail service, scheduled to start in March 2017, which will increase connectivity between Karnataka and DP World Cochin. This service will allow Karnataka’s exporters and importers to connect on the direct services offered by DP World Cochin, and aims to improve transit time and direct loading.
This sizable market growth achieved by DP World Cochin can be attributed to the aggressive marketing efforts in the hinterland, undertaken with dedicated personnel based at inland locations. The efforts made by DP World Cochin in association with the Port Trust to address the issues faced by the trade at the border check post have resulted in the setting up of the Green Channel facility at Walayar. This has ensured reduction of the time taken by sealed containerised cargo to cross the border, and is an indication of the flexibility and ease of doing business experienced by customers who avail the services provided by DP World Cochin.
Jibu Kurien Itty, CEO, DP World Cochin said, “At DP World, we aim to excel in our terminal operations, which has helped us to turn vessels around much faster than other ports in the region. We have facilitated trade by redefining the supply chain, ensuring less cost, faster transit times and best-in-class customer service. We have also ensured better co-ordination with trade bodies in all aspects of shipping, including operations, documentation, etc.; and that has helped in gaining and maintaining the mome
ntum.”
DP World Cochin has been handling an average of 40,000 TEUs per month consistently over the past six months, thereby proving itself to be the container terminal of choice in the region, and providing customers with world-class facilities and service.
