The Container Terminal of Larsen and Toubro (L&T) Kattupalli shipyard-cum-captive port is all set to commence operations and awaiting communication from the Customs Department notifying the terminal, the Daily Shippint Times reports
The port has been in the news since January 2012 and is touted by the export-import trade as an alternative to the Chennai Port, which is facing congestion for the last two years. The port is located adjacent to the Ennore Port. While the latter handles break-bulk carriers, cars and coal vessels, it may take one more year or more for its container terminal to be ready. L&T is ready with its container terminal (berth two). The six-line gate complex is connected to two container berths by a four-lane road.
A Custom House Agent said, “Currently, Customs are deploying their officials from the Chennai Port to the Ennore Port for clearing consignments. As the Ennore Port receives fewer vessels, it does not pose any problem. But, the L&T Port would require more officials. Perhaps, a separate Commissionerate is needed to handle both the terminals."
When Central Board of Excise and Customs Chairman Mr. S.K. Goel visited the city last week, the matter was referred to him.
He also made a reference to the shortage of Customs staff in his speech and said that efforts were on to recruit more officials.
It also has 15 rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGC), 2 reach stackers and 420 reefer plug points. The port employees have been trained in RTGC, sources said. On April 12, L&T received Zhen Hua 20, a heavy lift vessel, with three more Rail Mounted Quayside Crane (RMQC) to be installed at the second berth. Out of the three cranes, one crane was installed on April 15, 2012. It will take at least a month to commission it.
A company note says the INR 4,675 crore project is being implemented by L&T Shipbuilding Limited, a joint venture between L&T and Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation. It will build commercial ships, specialised cargo ships, defence ships, including submarines, offshore platforms and floating platform-cum-storage facility and heavy engineering fabrication and component production for ship building.
The port has been in the news since January 2012 and is touted by the export-import trade as an alternative to the Chennai Port, which is facing congestion for the last two years. The port is located adjacent to the Ennore Port. While the latter handles break-bulk carriers, cars and coal vessels, it may take one more year or more for its container terminal to be ready. L&T is ready with its container terminal (berth two). The six-line gate complex is connected to two container berths by a four-lane road.
A Custom House Agent said, “Currently, Customs are deploying their officials from the Chennai Port to the Ennore Port for clearing consignments. As the Ennore Port receives fewer vessels, it does not pose any problem. But, the L&T Port would require more officials. Perhaps, a separate Commissionerate is needed to handle both the terminals."
When Central Board of Excise and Customs Chairman Mr. S.K. Goel visited the city last week, the matter was referred to him.
He also made a reference to the shortage of Customs staff in his speech and said that efforts were on to recruit more officials.
It also has 15 rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGC), 2 reach stackers and 420 reefer plug points. The port employees have been trained in RTGC, sources said. On April 12, L&T received Zhen Hua 20, a heavy lift vessel, with three more Rail Mounted Quayside Crane (RMQC) to be installed at the second berth. Out of the three cranes, one crane was installed on April 15, 2012. It will take at least a month to commission it.
A company note says the INR 4,675 crore project is being implemented by L&T Shipbuilding Limited, a joint venture between L&T and Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation. It will build commercial ships, specialised cargo ships, defence ships, including submarines, offshore platforms and floating platform-cum-storage facility and heavy engineering fabrication and component production for ship building.