Shipping lines start direct services from ICTT

KOCHI: Showing signs of recovery from the struggles during initial days, the business at the Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal is gaining momentum with major shipping lines starting direct services from ICTT. Last week shipping major CMA CGM started a NEMO service connecting ICTT to European ports. CMA CGM’s vessel MV Hanjin Buenos Aires called at the ICTT last Wednesday and returned with a total exchange of 525 TEUs of which approximately 300 TEUs of containers were direct consignment to European ports.“NEMO is a premium service between Indian sub-continent and Europe and offers one of the fastest transit times for cargo from South India. NEMO connects Damietta, Malta, Genoa, Tilbury, Hamburg, Rotterdam and Le Havre after Kochi,” the ICTT authorities said.CMA CGM in May had started a weekly service connecting Kochi and Africa with the commencement of cashew season. The weekly services bring cashew from Tema, Apapa, Abidjan touching Durban before calling at Kochi. “We are holding talks with major shipping lines to commence more mainline services to Europe, Africa and Far East. Samsara Shipping, an Indian company, has started feeder services to ICTT recently,” a key official of the DP World, which operates the terminal, said.However, he refused to reveal the names of the shipping companies with which they were holding discussion for mainline services. Major shipping companies are waiting for relaxation in cabotage law, he said.  Cargo originating in South India is currently getting transshipped at various hub ports outside India. Shipping lines save huge costs incurred in transshipment of cargo by calling directly at ICTT.