3 vessels of NYK Lines to arrive at Kattupalli - import export activities begin

Do your remember my post on the maiden honour that X Press Indus had; those handling Shipping of cargo, know of codes ~ do you know which port has Port Code INKAT1…. It is the port of Kattupalli… of which I had posted earlier : http://www.sampspeak.in/2013/04/kattupalli-port-handles-its-first.html

Lot is happening nearer Chennai and measures have been planned  to reduce the congestion in the Chennai Port.  On 30th Jan 2013, another minor port ‘Kattupalli Shipyard cum Captive Port Complex’  a large shipyard project at Kattupalli village near Ennore of Chennai built by L&T Shipbuilding Ltd came into being..

This is a Container handling facility and is expected to attract bigger container vessels.  In terms of cargo generation, the terminal is located close to the majority of Container Freight stations in Chennai.   In Jan 2013, it was inaugurated by  Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.  This facility valued at Rs.3,375 crore, is spread over 1143 acres at nearby Tiruvallur district and the 810-acre ship building yard is the “biggest in India.”

Procedural formalities were cleared and given way for operation – in Nov 2012, Kattupalli MinorPort was declared as ‘Customs area’ for unloading of imported goods and loading of export goods.  On 18th April 13, X Press Indus became the maiden ship to visit eh terminal and about 162 TEUs were handled at the terminal.

By Govt of India Customs notification, M/s L&T Shipbuilding Limited [L&T Kattupalli Port] was declared as custodian of Port under Sec 45 (1) of Customs Act.  Now the Steamer Agents who move vessel to Kattupalli port for discharge of cargo can file IGM online through ICEGATE by mentioning port code as INKAT1 and terminal operator code as INKAT1LSL1 ~rest of procedures are same as they file in Chennai port. The acknowledgement for filing IGM/EGM/ Consol IGMs would reach their registered e-mail address.

Today’s The Hindu report that after the first successful trial run of imported goods, the Port is set to commence import as well as export activities for the industry on June 6.

After the initial success, NYK Lines (Nippon Yusen Kaisha), one of the leading Japanese shipping companies, has announced that three vessels will arrive here on June 6, 13 and 27. The vessels will depart from Laem Chabang (Thailand) on Wednesdays and will call at Singapore, Port Klang, Kattupalli and Chennai Port and return to Laem Chabang via Singapore on Wednesdays with a turnaround time of 21 days.

Talking to The Hindu, the port official said NYK Lines would be conducting trial runs for a month at Kattupalli to arrive at a final decision about making its services a regular affair. The vessel will be bringing in auto spare parts and other consumer items and, on the return, carry agro products and granites. Owned by L&T Ports, Kattupalli International Container Terminal is managed by Manila-based International Container Terminal Services. The port is located adjacent to Ennore Port and has a capacity to handle 1.2 million containers per year through two berths. The ports shipyard is yet to be inaugurated.

“The commencement of TCX Service between Kattupalli and Laem Chabang is a welcome move. To cash in on the brisk trade between the two countries, we urge the Customs to allow more Container Freight Stations to operate at Kattupalli to handle export documents. Otherwise, we have to depend on Chennai Port,”   a Customs House Agent is quoted as saying.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar.

5th June 2013.