KOCHI:The Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) recorded an increase in container handling efficiency, with an average of 30 Gross Crane Rate per hour.
“With Kochi offering by far one of the best connectivity in South India, more and more vessels are coming to the ICCT,” stated an official statement. “The export-import traffic from Kochi through the ICTT has witnessed a steep rise in the past 2-3 months. The ICTT recorded steady overall growth in the last seven consecutive months, and the terminal is on a high after handling 51 vessels in August, 52 vessels in September and 58 vessels in October, marking a 16 per cent year-on-year increase. Meanwhile, the month-on-month throughput also improved in the last seven months,” said the statement.
“This year, the number of vessels calling at the ICTT increased 11 per cent year-on-year. At DP World, we are constantly striving to increase our operational efficiency by investing in infrastructure, equipment, technology and training,” said DP World-Kochi CEO Jibu Kurien Itty.
There are three main services every week, connecting Far East Asian countries with Kochi, of which one is from Australia. There are also four weekly services to the Middle East and two direct services to Europe. There is also connectivity to the US East Coast through hubs in Damietta and Haifa. In addition, the ICTT recently called in a new service titled ‘Great Sea Vembanad. Vallarpadam is also well connected to Colombo with three feeders every week.
“We have been constantly re-engineering our processes inside the terminal, and working with the logistics chain outside the terminal gates to give our customers quicker vessel turnaround times and a better product,” said DP World Senior VP and managing director (World - Subcontinent) Anil Singh.