The Hindu : Karnataka News : Boost to direct link to West Africa through NMPT

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Friday, May 16, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Boost to direct link to West Africa through NMPT

Special Correspondent

Second main line container vessel reached the port on Wednesday

MANGALORE: The second ship service allowing direct (main line in port parlance) import and export of goods packed in standard containers from West Africa has commenced from the New Mangalore Port.

Until recently, the port used to despatch export containers to Mumbai or Colombo. The first main line vessel from East Africa, Kota Handal, commenced operation from January this year. In what is described as an achievement for the New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT), the second main line container vessel reached the port carrying raw cashew directly from West Africa on Wednesday. The vessel, CMA CGM Okapi, is expected to leave with processed cashew. It facilitates faster export and import at reduced ocean freight charges.

The vessel with a capacity of 1,708 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units or 20-foot containers) with 200 reefer plug points called at NMPT directly from Port of Cotonou (Benin) of West Africa with 355 TEUs of raw cashew. The vessel will also load export containers for other destinations.

NMPT Chairman P. Tamilvanan welcomed the vessel by presenting a bouquet to the Captain of the vessel. The vessel will head to the UAE from here.

Train movement

Meanwhile, railway movement inside the port area began on Wednesday. The first rake was loaded with 3,705 tonnes of limestone for JSW Steel Ltd., Bellary, which imported the material in vessel Guoyun-5.

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