Chennai: It was a dream come true for Pondicherry-based importers & exporters when the container vessel Hope Seven made its maiden call at Pondicherry Port from Chennai Port’s CITPL terminal with import laden containers on June 30, 2023. Now, within a short span, this ship has quietly made several voyages with import laden containers to Pondicherry Port from Chennai Port’s CITPL & the DP World Terminal.

 The vessel operator, Global Logistics Solutions, credits this success to the broader vision of the authorities and the trade who together wanted to make the Sagarmala Scheme a success story, in which a Major Port is connected with a Satellite Port.

 This service connection goes far beyond Puducherry to the districts of Cuddalore, Trichy, Salem and Namakkal, highlighted a release.

 As per official sources, this region can generate 10,000 TEUs a month of throughput, which means that most shipping lines and NVOCCs will start operating their FCL services directly from Puducherry. A few major shipping lines and NVOCCs have already surveyed Pondicherry Port and are meeting the export and import trade regularly.

 As per Pondicherry Customs officials, the long-term demand of the ex-im trade for Customs Code for Pondicherry Port has been fulfilled, Hence, Shipping Bills and Bills of Entries can be filed directly at the port by using its code INPNY1. Pondicherry Customs also has a handheld scanner to scan factory-stuffed containers at the port, to complete the export formalities in Puducherry itself instead of seals getting scanned at the Chennai CFS.

 Pondicherry Port Director Mr Mansoor has encouraged the trade to use its facilities, which include warehouses, container yard and vehicle parking areas.

The Puducherry government has further plans to make it possible to move all the cargo between Chennai and Puducherry via sea instead of road to reduce cost, air and noise pollution and, most importantly, bring down road congestion which will lead to safer roads for commuters.

Mr Arun Menon of Servo Pack, who is also the current President of CII Puducherry, has welcomed this container vessel service between Pondicherry Port and Chennai Port. He said this was long awaited and he had confidence in the service provider who took the project very seriously, and did a lot of groundwork to make it happen. He assured continuous support for cargo movement by the vessel, and utilisation of the warehouses and Customs facilities to full potential, as per a release.