The first Consignment of Vegetable Cargoes by Reefer Container had dispatched from Calicut to Dubai via Cochin Port.
Since lockdown, many Exporters had been struggling to dispatch their more perishable Vegetables Cargo by Air since Air charges had been growing steeply which an Exporter couldn’t meet resulting their loss of Export order from Middle Eastern Countries like UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia etc, and Kerala bringing a huge Forex to State exchequer.
Airlines are charging Rs. 110/- per Kg, apart from other Charges like waybill, Sundry, Misc and Ground handling Etc.
Now Multiple exporters combined collectively had an MOU with Maersk and Evergreen by chartering Twelve 40 foot Container with an average weight of 18+ MT with non perishable Vegetables proceeded by Road to Cochin to stuff in Vessels routed to Dubai. Clearance has done by Qubes, Ernakulam.
This is an eye opener to Kerala Maritime Board to start the Vessel movement from Beypore by providing Multimodal operation to Exporters’ warehouses, stuffing of Cargo to Vessel and transshipment to Cochin to Mother Vessel for Dubai/Qatar and Muscat. It is understood that many vessels like Great Sea Vembanad and TransAsia are willing for operation provided they are demanding for a Government based incentive scheme till a regular outward supply or Return cargo then only viable for operation.
Now Kerala Maritime Board had drafted incentives scheme and vessels in principle agreed for operation. Since Customs had provided EDI, clearance should be done at Beypore and this will results affordable time and money for Exporters. Kerala Maritime Board also should take initiative for a regular updates and discussion with Cochin Port Trust and DP World so that in coming future, Sharjah and Omani Port Authorities had also agreed for a direct Vessel transshipment from Beypore together the entire shipment from Malabar Area can be routed from Beypore.
Moreover many Keralites prefer to send LCL Cargo of their day to day foodstuffs and other personal effects for their dear and near getting a booster to Beypore Port.
Source:- Daily Shipping Times
