Aimed at tapping business opportunities related to the Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal, the Cochin International Container Freight Station(CICFS), set up by the Kerala State Industrial Enterprises (KSIE), was inaugurated by Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty in Kalamassery on Saturday.
The station, constructed at an outlay of `25 crore, would cater to the emerging needs of the ICTT, said KSIE chairman M C Mayin Haji. With the addition of this facility, the export and import operations of the state would become easier.
The CICFS has an 80,000 sq ft customs-bonded cargo handling centre to manage export and import operations and can handle 1,000 containers at a time.
“All modern facilities have been incorporated for the security and smooth operations of the freight station in accordance with international standards. It can provide direct employment to 100 eligible candidates and indirect employment to 500 persons,” he said.
KSIE has arranged facilities for container stuffing and de-stuffing and for the smooth movement of cargo. Since it is functioning under the supervision of the Customs Department, the KSIE has implemented international-level modern facilities.
The project would also be helpful in providing time-bound services to exporters, importers and shippers after customs clearance proceedings.
When compared to the previous year, the KSIE’s cargo complexes in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode registered a 50 per cent increase in turnover and profits.