JNPT, container firms deny congestion delay

July 30, 2010: It is nearly 10 days now since several foreign shipping lines slapped congestion surcharge at Jawaharlal Nehru Port but the port authorities and the container train operators serving the port deny there is congestion, and therefore delays.

In a statement, the port authorities have said the average dwelling time of import boxes in three container terminals, namely JNPT Container Terminal, Nhava Sheva International Container Terminal and Gateway Terminals India, is well within the free storage period limits.
Inquiries with container train operators reveal that as on July 29, the pendency was 3,890 TEUs, comprising 2,781 TEUs on account of Container Corporation of India and another 1,109 TEUs on account of private train operators. Of these, more than 2,000 containers will be evacuated during the course of the day, leaving 1,800 containers or so.
The three vessels due to arrive at the port will unload another 1,400 TEUs or so bringing the pendency to 3,200 TEUs, it has been learnt.
On Friday, another 22/23 trains will be operated (19 rakes by Concor and another three to four rakes by private operators), evacuating another 2,000 boxes, which means the pendency will get further reduced.

Source: The Hindu Business Line