MIV Logistics Private Ltd, a joint venture in which the government-owned Infrastructures Kerala Limited (INKEL) holds the majority stake, has roped in APM Terminals, part of Maersk Lines, to manage its container freight station, coming up in close proximity to the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) on Vallarpadam Island, reported The Hindu.
The CFS will be the second such facility in a line of four, with the first one being readied for commissioning by March.
Industry sources said that APM Terminals would bring in the equipment needed for container handling at the proposed container freight station and manage its day-to-day operations.
MIV Logistics is a US$20.29 million joint venture among Inkel, the MFAR and the VKL groups and a host of smaller shareholders.
The company's proposal for setting up a container freight station was approved by the Union Commerce Ministry recently, sources said.
Investments in the container freight station include more than $4 million spent on land, which the company won through international competitive bidding.
MIV Logistics has been allotted 18.5 acres close to the ICTT on Vallarpadam and the company plans to build up sufficient space to handle the entire parcel in a ship.
According to sources, MIV Logistics envisages a capacity to store up to a 1,000 TEUs at a time.
There will be pre-stage facilities for Customs examinations as well as stuffing and de-stuffing suites. The facility is expected to be ready in nine to 10 months.
Meanwhile, Cochin Port Trust will soon call for bids from cargo operators for leasing out another 18 acres of land close to the ICTT. The land will be allotted to those who propose to set up a cargo and logistics centre, which will also house a container freight station.
The plot being tendered is third of the four being offered for freight stations.
The first plot of 18 acres has been leased to Gateway Distriparks Kerala, which is a joint venture between the Chakiat Group and Gateway Distriparks.
According to sources, the pre-stage facility at the CFS is likely to be operational by March. The CFS received the clearance from the Union Commerce Ministry in the second week of January.
The Prime Minister's Office issued orders on January 30 to ensure that the first of the four container freight stations planned by Cochin Port Trust should be operational by March 2012. The PMO had also issued instructions that the Customs should ensure proper arrangement to ensure the commissioning of the freight stations.
The CFS will be the second such facility in a line of four, with the first one being readied for commissioning by March.
Industry sources said that APM Terminals would bring in the equipment needed for container handling at the proposed container freight station and manage its day-to-day operations.
MIV Logistics is a US$20.29 million joint venture among Inkel, the MFAR and the VKL groups and a host of smaller shareholders.
The company's proposal for setting up a container freight station was approved by the Union Commerce Ministry recently, sources said.
Investments in the container freight station include more than $4 million spent on land, which the company won through international competitive bidding.
MIV Logistics has been allotted 18.5 acres close to the ICTT on Vallarpadam and the company plans to build up sufficient space to handle the entire parcel in a ship.
According to sources, MIV Logistics envisages a capacity to store up to a 1,000 TEUs at a time.
There will be pre-stage facilities for Customs examinations as well as stuffing and de-stuffing suites. The facility is expected to be ready in nine to 10 months.
Meanwhile, Cochin Port Trust will soon call for bids from cargo operators for leasing out another 18 acres of land close to the ICTT. The land will be allotted to those who propose to set up a cargo and logistics centre, which will also house a container freight station.
The plot being tendered is third of the four being offered for freight stations.
The first plot of 18 acres has been leased to Gateway Distriparks Kerala, which is a joint venture between the Chakiat Group and Gateway Distriparks.
According to sources, the pre-stage facility at the CFS is likely to be operational by March. The CFS received the clearance from the Union Commerce Ministry in the second week of January.
The Prime Minister's Office issued orders on January 30 to ensure that the first of the four container freight stations planned by Cochin Port Trust should be operational by March 2012. The PMO had also issued instructions that the Customs should ensure proper arrangement to ensure the commissioning of the freight stations.