Category Archives: Shipping

AP Moller- Maersk has successfully completed the first India-Bangladesh cross-border logistics of containerised cargo using the inland waterways of the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route for Coca-Cola Bangladesh Beverages. By transporting 50 containers (TEUs or Twenty Feet Equivalent Units) from Kolkata in India to a river port near Dhaka in Bangladesh on a barge on the National Waterways 1 on the India side, said an official statement. “The Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route has created great trade opportunities for the two countries over the last decades. By advancing into containerised transport on this route, we are expanding  the opportunities for importers and exporters from the two countries with a faster, more reliable and safer option for their cargo,” said Vikash Agarwal, MD, Maersk South Asia. Soumyendu Sen Sarma, Director – Finance, Coca-Cola Bangladesh Beverages, also said, “The maiden barge voyage has been successfully executed where there has been a significant reduction of transit time. The delivery schedule of the cargo, which used to be routed through the transhipment hub and then arrive in Chittagong and further to the  destination, used to be impacted severely with delays. The speed of delivery with the new solution offered by Maersk over inland waterways is going to be extremely beneficial for us.”

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the Ramayapatnam Port in Nellore district, marking the beginning of construction work at Rs 3,736.14 crore. He said there are only six ports in the state since Independence and the ruling government is bringing four more ports, including Ramayapatnam, to boost economic activity, job opportunities, and overall development in the state. The Chief Minister added Ramayapatnam Port is being taken up at an investment of Rs 3,740 crore for four berths with a handling capacity of 25 MT, where six more berths can be added in the future at a cost of Rs 200 crore for each for handling 50 MT. With the construction of four ports, 100 MT of cargo handling can be added to the existing capacity of 228 MT, he added.

Shiprocket has recently announced acquisition of Arvind’s omnichannel technology business, Omuni. The transaction will be carried out as a combination of stock and cash for total consideration of Rs 200 crores. Combination of both entities will facilitate quick, efficient deliveries of shipments from the nearest store or warehouse thus reducing delivery timelines and enhancing customer experience. Focusing on leveraging cutting-edge technology to build data-driven solutions and integrated product offerings, the Shiprocket and Omuni deal is expected to ensure better inventory utilization, faster-localized fulfillment, optimize operational costs, and deliver delightful multichannel experiences. With seamless inventory synchronisation between online and offline channels, order volumes and order fulfilment rates will increase for retailers.

To cater to the future requirement of the hinterland and further benefit the downstream industries around the Gujarat and allied states, Deendayal Port Authority, Kutch, Gujarat is set to develop two Mega Cargo Handling Terminals on a BOT basis under PPP Mode at an estimated cost of Rs. 5963 crores. The Authority has decided to develop a Container Terminal and a Multipurpose Cargo Berth at Tuna-Tekra in the Kutch District. The Container terminal plans to handle next-generation vessels/deeper draught vessels up to 6000 TEUs to 21000 TEUs with a draught of 14m to 18m, respectively. The Estimated Cost & Optimal handling Capacity of the Terminal is Rs. 4243.64 Crores and 2.19 million TEU, respectively. Once operational, the terminal will be well equipped to tap into the container market growth in the region with better infrastructure and a state-of-art world-class container facility. The proposed facility shall be used for handling multipurpose cargo, viz., food grains, fertilizers, coal, ores and minerals, steel cargo etc. Once fully operational, the port is envisaged to shift the existing handling of Coal from Kandla to Tuna Tekra and cater to the future growth in multipurpose cargo (other than container/liquid) traffic.

The Indian Institute of Freight Forwarders (IIFF), part of the Federation of Freight Forwarder’s Associations in India (FFFAI) launched its third online diploma in Shipping, Logistics and Freight Forwarding on 2 July 2022 for the aspiring logistics aspirants. The program will take place over 300 hours on weekdays from 7pm to 9pm. Chief Guest FFFAI Chairman, Shankar Shinde focused on the importance of training and skill development for enhancing domain knowledge concerning the logistics industry. He also encouraged the students to be updated with shipping news as currently there are numerous changes that the industry is going through. President of IIFF, Tej Contractor welcomed all dignitaries, faculties and participants who were present for the inauguration, followed by a speech from Secretary of IIFF Nirav Thakker who shared a background of the IIFF and its parent organization, FFFAI.

To accelerate digital transformation of global maritime industry, Kale Logistics Solutions (Kale) has become the first Indian IT firm to join the International Association of Ports & Harbors (IAPH). “Kale will add its expertise to the voices of 280 ports and port-related businesses counted among the membership of the Tokyo-based trade association, which represents the interests of port authorities and operators at regulatory level,” as per a release issued by Kale. High on Kale’s agenda, IAPH members and the global maritime industry is the standardisation and harmonisation of electronic ship-to-shore communication. “In May this year, the IMO’s Facilitation Committee announced amendments to the Facilitation Convention that will make single window for data exchange mandatory in ports around the world from January 2024, marking a crucial step in the acceleration of digitalisation in shipping,” the statement added.

Approval has been granted by Sri Lanka’s Defence Ministry to launch a cargo ferry service between Kankesanthurai (KKS) and Tamil Nadu. Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda said in a statement that permission was granted for the commencement of a cargo ferry service between KKS and the Karaikal Port, and Port of Pondicherry in Tamil Nadu. He said a cargo boat service will commence thereafter. Devananda added the service will allow Sri Lankans access to fuel, fertilizer, milk power, and other essentials including medicines, at a low cost.

The government is planning to focus on completion of port connectivity projects in 2022 with a record 50 Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) lined up for finalization in FY23. As part of the PM’s Gati Shakti plan, port projects have been accorded top priority given their importance in facilitating trade and augmenting support to multi-modal transport. An official of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said, the government has prioritised 65 road projects (2,041 km) to improve road link to ports. He said that out of these, nine projects with a total length of 161 km have been completed, five with a length of 105 km have been awarded under port connectivity component and four projects (992 km) are being developed under other components of Bharatmala.

Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India flagged off the world’s first double-stack long-haul container train virtually, while inaugurating the Rewari-Madar leg of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor. The dedicated freight corridor will aid India’s rapid progress and enhance growth in all areas since modern rail infrastructure offers a basis for employment in all sectors across states, said Modi.

The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has become the first carrier to provide in-house liquid cargo solutions, directly supplying and fitting flexibags for customers worldwide. According to an official company statement, “MSC experts fit carefully selected flexibags at its depots prior to cargo pick-up, which removes the requirement for haulage to third-party fitting locations, reducing road miles, saving time and money, and helping customers to meet their sustainability needs. MSC liquid cargo solutions are already available at depot facilities in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas,” The statement added that MSC works with dedicated suppliers of high-quality flexibags and with its customers to ensure each flexibag is tailored, selecting the right size and specifications according to the cargo’s needs. The statement added, “Flexibags allow customers to fill dry containers with up to 24,000 litres of non-hazardous liquid cargo—such as edible oils, wine, petroleum products, and chemicals—offering a safe and cost-effective alternative to other liquid bulk transportation methods, with less packaging than conventional ISO tanks.”