Category Archives: Shipping

APM Terminals Pipavav has developed an online version of Form 13 (gate-in permits issued by terminals) required for each import/export container. Known as e-form 13, it will save close to three million kilometers of road trips and their associated carbon emissions each year. For customer this translates into time savings and fuel cost savings. With many of these kilometers often covered by couriers on motorbikes this also means significantly less risk of fatal road traffic accidents. The new paperless system will also save millions of sheets of waste paper per year and speed up the processing. Previously at APM Terminals Pipavav, shipping lines would collect multiple documents to issue completed Form 13 for each import/export container. The truck arrived at the pre-gate waiting area and handed over the documents required to obtain Form 13 to Gate In the container. The Customs House Agent then took the documents on a 14 km round trip to the shipping line’s office to submit the documentation, while wait for a manual Form 13. Once the trucker had Form 13, the details had to be entered in Terminal Operating System by a pre-gate clerk, after which they could enter the terminal.

Agility has signed an agreement with Cold Box Express to offer innovative shipping solutions for temperature-sensitive cargo. Cold Box offers an active temperature-control pallet shipper, designed for mixed-load ground transportation. The shipper is a pallet-sized interior compartment with precise temperature control and range, extended hold times, and 24×7 near-real-time tracking and monitoring. Satish Lakkaraju, Chief Commercial Officer, Agility India, said, “We believe in offering unique, cost-effective solutions that can help customers achieve a more secure cold chain. In the Indian market, where temperatures rise to over 45°C, moving temperature-sensitive cargo can be a challenge. Cold Box’s solution is easy to handle, and perfectly suited to our customer needs.” Under the terms of the partnership, Agility will test one Cold Box as part of a pilot to move cargo for pharmaceutical customers in India. The device will be used for LCL reefer shipments, as well as to move pharmaceutical products to difficult-to-reach locations, areas prone to power cuts, and for last-mile delivery.

APM Terminals Mumbai has announced a new value added service designed to accelerate and improve turnaround time of freight arriving at the terminal. Titled as Vehicle Booking System (VBS), the service entails the terminal allocating fixed time slots to each Container Freight Station (CFS) every day, whereby the CFS is encouraged to collect its consignment during the time allocated. Once the CFS’ trailers reach the Y-junction at the port complex during the allotted slot, they can approach the terminal through the empty TT lane. The trailers thus skip traffic and enter the yard in a short time. Additionally, the terminal also allocates a dedicated equipment at the yard block for serving these trucks once inside the yard. With CFSs sending their trailers only during allocated slots, the terminal is able to efficiently handle import evacuations avoiding traffic congestion outside its gates. Shedding light on the project, Ravi Gaitonde, COO, APM Terminals Mumbai, said, “We are constantly investing in improving our offerings to customers and expect Vehicle Booking System to do just that.” Pioneered and piloted by APM Terminals Mumbai, initially in November 2017, VBS has helped the terminal improve efficiency and overall truck turn-around by 16 per cent. Sadanand Salian, VP, Allcargo Logistics, said, “GTI has executed a splendid job by implementing the VBS, and together we were able to reduce our truck turn-around time at the terminal by around 40 per cent post implementation.”

DP World and the government of Jammu and Kashmir have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore opportunities to develop trade infrastructure in the Indian state. The agreement will see discussions on a multi-modal logistics park and hub in Jammu, comprising warehouses and specialised storage solutions that will also encourage intermodal transfer of containers, bulk and break-bulk cargo. Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO, DP World Group, said: “Opening up the Indian hinterland through new infrastructure and facilities is one of the ways through which the Indian economy will continue to grow, and we are delighted to enter into these discussions with representatives of the Jammu and Kashmir government. India has vast economic potential and unlocking it will provide new trade opportunities.”

The 4,051 TEU XIN NAN TONG, part of COSCO Shipping Lines, on COSCO’s CI1 service had its maiden call at APM Terminals Mumbai on February 12, adding another important Far East service to India’s importers and exporters. Far East trade services comprise 62 per cent of the terminal’s throughput. Deployed mainly to serve the Far East trade with India, the CI1 service will enhance India’s regional market by calling on key ports such as Pipavav, Shanghai, Ningbo, Shekou, Nansha, Singapore and Penang. The service consists of five COSCO vessels and one from Wan Hai Shipping Line. APM Terminals Mumbai COO Ravi Gaitonde welcomed the vessel stating, “This new port call adds another choice for our customers shipping to and from the Far East. More choices create stronger supply chains and business growth – so we look forward to working closely with COSCO and Wan Hai to deliver operational excellence.”

In a recent study, it has been observed that the processes and operations across India’s ports are not standardised or uniform, while costs and time for key processes are unpredictable, also there is an unacceptable level of variation across as well as within the ports. The study titled, Port Logistics: Issues and Challenges in India, undertaken by advisory firm Dun & Bradstreet (DNB) on behalf of Niti Aayog identified the major problems faced on the ground by the end-users of ports—exporters, importers and freight forwarders. It listed five issues—port congestion, custom clearance, shipping line issues and charges, documentation and paperwork and regulatory clearances—as the major hurdles leading to detention and demurrage challenges faced by traders in.

Taking another step ahead to realize the potential of inland waterways in the country, Cochin Shipyard & United Shipbuilding Corporation, Russia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate and engage in Design, Development and Execution of contemporary, state-of-the-art vessels for inland and coastal waterways. The massive push to water-based transport through the infrastructure development efforts under the Sagarmala programme of government will open up opportunities for specialised vessels. The MoU is an effort to get ready to cater to the demand for different kinds of vessels that is expected in the near and medium term.

The 9662 TEU capacity Maersk Salina arrived at APM Terminals Pipavav representing the first call of Maersk Line’s FM3 Service to APM Terminals Pipavav. The service links India to key markets through port calls in Tanjung Pelepas, Malaysia; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Nhava Sheva, India; Singapore and the Chinese ports of Dalian, Xingang, Qingdao, Busan, Gwangyang and Ningbo. The Maersk Salina loaded seafood, polymers, chemicals, dyes, tires etc. for export. Imports handled included home appliances, auto parts, machinery, plastic items, electrical/electronic goods and furniture. Keld Pederson, Managing Director, APM Terminals Pipavav, said, “We are persistent in our endeavour to offer best services to our customers by quick turnaround of cargos at the berth, at the yard & at the gate. The new addition by Maersk takes us one step closer in providing easy access to our customers located in north and west hinterland in India with key markets across the globe.”

The Indo-Iran Joint Business Seminar, focussing on Chabahar Port opportunities in Free Zone and Transit Corridors, was held in the capital recently to update all the stakeholders about developments happening at Chabahar port and investment opportunities available in transport and logistics sector. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Shipping, Road Transport & Highways and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India spoke about the initiatives taken by the Government of India to enhance bilateral cooperation in the maritime sector. Dr. Abbas Ahmad Akhoundi, Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Islamic Republic of Iran talks about crossing corridors from Iran which connects India to the international markets, i.e. Nort-South which connects India to Russia, Caucasus & CIS, South-West which connects India to Europe and India-Iran-Afghanistan which is connecting India to Afghanistan from Chabahar (road) or from Bandar Abbas (railroad).

The Uttar Pradesh government is drafting its own logistics policy, as higher industrial activity, economic growth and the government’s recent policy decisions are triggering unprecedented growth in the sector. “With both the Eastern and the Western freight corridors and several industrial corridors passing through Uttar Pradesh, we are at a good position to take advantage of this logistics revolution which we expect to see in the next two years,” Rajiv Kumar, Chief Secretary, UP State Government. The policy will entail the establishment of at least five industrial parks across the state; the smallest with an investment of Rs 200 crore. The policy will also include various incentives for logistics players if they invest in this sector in the state.