The International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT), Vallarpadam has announced that the NEMO/EAX Service will now make a weekly call at ICTT, thus making it, the first weekly service vessel connecting Kochi directly to Europe.
m.v. Lahore Express, Hong Kong flag vessel, of length 260 meters is berthed at ICTT, with an exchange of 550 TEUs. The vessel will make service calls to the major base ports in Europe such as Genoa, Tilbury, Hamburg, Rotterdam and Le Havre.
“This is a very proud occasion for us at DP World, as the commencement of the NEMO/EAX service from ICTT will offer the trade in this region faster transit and reduced supply chain cost. This is also recognition for our technological advancements at ICTT and our commitment to emerge as one of the most important ports for the subcontinent region,” Mr K.K. Krishnadas, CEO, DP World Kochi, said.
The ICTT, with its crucial location in the sub-continent, has embarked on achieving many new milestones with the help of its partners. The support from Kochi Port by way of marine costs comparable to other regional hubs, and Concor's commitment to connect the terminal with frequent services to/from the hinterland, is positioning ICTT as a strong propeller to India's growth in the coming years, he said. ICTT has been getting ad hoc mainline calls since it was commissioned in February. However, going forward the South India trade fraternity can now connect their exports directly to Europe from ICTT on a weekly basis, with a shorter transit time.
With crane operations at 30 moves/hour/crane, productivity at ICTT is comparable with the best international ports, he added.
Connecting key south Indian markets such as Bangalore, Coimbatore, Tirupur and Salem, the port has convenient access to rail, road and sea to important South Indian ports such as Tuticorin and Mangalore, making it a crucial backbone to the South Indian hinterland, which contributes to a quarter of India's trade volume.
Barging operations using the inland water ways of Kerala, gives the terminal safer and eco-friendly connections to the markets, seldom seen in most other terminals, he said.