The persistent congestion and frequent strikes have dented the image of Chennai Port Trust (ChPT). Besides, it has also resulted in diversion of cargo.
As a contingency measure, Maersk Line, one of the biggest shipping companies, has once again decided to skip ChPT. Instead it will call L&T Kattupalli Port, which is 30 km away from Chennai, on Saturday.
Even though Maersk’s Chennai Express has been berthing at L&T Kattupalli Port and Krishnapatnam Port, near Nellore, on a weekly basis after visiting ChPT, it is for the second time that Chennai Port was being skipped. Clean environment, quick turnaround time and vast congestion-free space have titled the balance in favour of L&T Port.
On June 27, Maersk Line CHX vessel Grace Bridge will berth at L&T Kattupalli Port and later at Krishnapatnam Port to handle import and export boxes. Chennai Customs has allowed Maersk Lines to discharge and load containers by asking the trade to fill the necessary forms. L&T Kattupalli Port has started issuing Form 13 to accept shipments.
The loss for ChPT is a volume gainer for L&T Kattupalli Port. Last week, it exchanged more than 3,200 boxes.
About 90 boxes meant for Bengaluru was discharged at Krishnapatnam and then it was moved to Inland Container Deport at Whitefield, Bengaluru.
“It is a blessing in disguise for us as we have all the facilities in place and can evacuate boxes in quickest possible time. Though some of the shipping lines made an adhoc call, they were yet to call on us on regular basis. The congestion at ChPT and overflowing orders at Kamarajar Port made the shipping lines to look at alternative venue and we suited the bill,” said an L&T Kattupalli Port official.
Unresolved congestionA spokesman for National Association of Container Freight Station said that ChPT was suffering from congestion issue for the last four-five years.
Although several measures have been initiated, it has not yielded the desired result. It is a wake-up call for ChPT, says port users.
