MUMBAI: DP World’s Cochin terminal welcomed the first direct shipment of containerised jute cargo from West Bengal on the new WEX service connecting Indian ports on the east coast directly to Cochin.
A joint trade meet was held by Cochin Port Trust, Kolkata Port Trust and DP World Cochin with jute manufacturers of West Bengal along with Avana Logistek, the carrier, where alternative trade routes were proposed to the manufacturers to help reduce logistics cost, ensure safe handling, and optimise transit time.
The new coastal service will help reduce CO2 emissions as compared to the conventional jute cargo transportation by road. There is a potential to transport 50-75 TEUs of jute cargo per month via this new coastal route.
Praveen Joseph, CEO, DP World Cochin, said, “We are always sharply focused on providing our customers with the most efficient and cost-effective options at our terminal. The direct connection of the new WEX service has given the manufacturers on the east coast of the country a reliable and efficient coastal route for their cargo to reach Cochin directly. This will help enhance trade between the regions and facilitate ease of doing business.”
DP World Cochin is strategically located to receive cargoes from all industrial clusters in Kerala and the major ones in Tamil Nadu (like Coimbatore, Pollachi and other hubs) within just six hours. The terminal has an excellent weekly direct rail connection to Bangalore too. In 2021, the following new services were started:
• ISG service connecting Middle East started from Jun 2021
• WIS service connecting Middle East started from Aug 2021.
• RTC service connecting Kerala minor ports started from Jun 2021.
• WEX service connecting Haldia and other east coast Indian ports started from Oct 2021.
In 2021, DP World Cochin handled 7.66 lakh TEUs, registering a 21 % increase over 2020 volumes while South India market collectively registered a 15% volume growth. Transshipment port volume increased by 131% in 2021 to 1.49 lakh TEUs in 2021 vs 64857 TEUs in 2020.
