Balmer Lawrie’s Kolkata CFS starts ‘Port Link Express’ export train

The Kolkata Container Freight Station (CFS) of Balmer Lawrie & Co witnessed the maiden journey of the ‘Port Link Express’ export train, from its premises to Haldia port. The ‘Port Link Express’ is a cost-effective and eco-friendly land bridge initiative that will enhance trade logistics in the Eastern Region. The export train was flagged off by senior officials of Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd., Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, MSC Line, Hind Terminals Pvt. Ltd., Electrosteel Castings Ltd. and Asst. Commissioner of Customs. The debut export train, operated by Hind Terminals carried 90 export TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) of the MSC Line, marking a milestone in logistics in the Haldia-Kolkata-Haldia sector.  The ‘Port Link Express’ is expected to significantly boost trade efficiency by enabling 2 to 3 trains per week to move between Haldia port and Balmer Lawrie CFS – Kolkata. This initiative, poised to become a vital component of the Eastern Region’s trade infrastructure, will not only reduce logistics costs but will also lessen the carbon footprint, thereby promoting environment friendly and sustainable trade practices. Besides improving logistics operations, this project underscores the importance of regulatory support from customs authorities in facilitating smoother trade. The import leg of the ‘Port Link Express’ was previously flagged off at Haldia port on 23^rd June 2024. Balmer Lawrie’s CFS – Kolkata was set up in 1994 and was the first CFS to operate in the Eastern Region. Balmer Lawrie has similar facilities operational in Mumbai, Chennai and Visakhapatnam.