Tuticorin Container Freight Station Association received the International Trade Facilitation Innovation Award for successful implementation of Codex at the V.O.C Port during the 9th Asia Pacific Trade Facilitation Forum (APTFF) 2019 held in New Delhi on September 18.
The APTFF, a leading regional platform for exchange of information, experiences and practices on trade facilitation, was organised by the Asian Development Bank, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and partners, including United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, World Customs Organization and World Trade Organization.
David Raja, president of the association, received the award from Rajneesh, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce.
Codex (Container Digital Exchange system) is a digital platform developed to enable seamless movement of containers from container freight stations and inland container depots to the port. It is being used by all stakeholders including the port, Customs, mainline operators, exporters, container freight stations, inland container depot and container terminals of the port.
Using a barcode attached to each container and corresponding shipping document, its movement can be tracked and authenticated at various points on its way right from the port entry to shipment loading point for exports. IGST refund process has been streamlined after the implementation of the software.
V.O.C Port Chairman T. K. Ramachandran, who congratulated the association on receiving the award, said that Codex has enabled seamless flow of digital information, helping the port witness smoother and faster terminal operations, reduce dwell time of container trucks, eliminate repetitive paperwork, reduced gate congestion and vehicle pollution.
