The Cochin Port Trust has initiated a number of measures to support the export business community based in the Erode zone. As part of the efforts, an interactive session was organised among officials of the Port Trust and the exporters from the zone.
G. Senthilvel, chairman in-charge of the Cochin Port Trust, was among those who addressed the export community during the meeting organised with the help of the Confederation of Indian Industry on Saturday, said a press release here.
The objective of the interaction was to help the export-import community understand the various measures taken by the Port Trust to handle cargo from north-west Tamil Nadu in a cost-effective and efficient manner for the benefit of the trade. Investment opportunities at the Cochin Port were also discussed at the session.
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Mr. Senthilvel said that the Port Trust had direct sailing to Europe, the Mediterranean and the Far East in addition to the regular sailings to the Gulf and Colombo. The Cochin port provided a savings of seven days in transit time and savings of $100 to $200 in overall supply chain cost for Europe-bound cargo.
The Walayar checkpost had now introduced a Green Channel for vehicle/sales tax/excise departments for export-import cargo and this had resulted in quick clearance of both Customs and Excise-sealed and self-sealed containers at the check post.
The Container Corporation has started regular service every Saturday from Coimbatore to Kochi to carry export containers and every Thursday from Kochi to Coimbatore to transport import containers.
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The corporation carries empty containers from Kochi to Coimbatore free of cost. This provision is making the overall operations much cheaper than before. Coimbatore Inland Container Depot is providing facilities for consolidating cargo from Erode, the press release said. It said that the industrialists, especially those in the food processing industry, showed great enthusiasm about supplies to cruise vessels and other vessels calling at the Cochin Port.