MARG KARAIKAL PORT LAUNCHES CONTAINER HANDLING SERVICES
~Marks the beginning of regular container feeder services to MARG Karaikal Port~
~ A strategic add on to existing diverse cargo-mix including coal, fertilizer, sugar, gypsum, cement , project cargo etc
~Links the port to key overseas import and export destinations~
~Plans to increase frequency of services and connect with ports in S.E. Asia and other global container trade hubs~
~Comes in the wake of MARG Karaikal Port recently bagging the prestigious "Emerging Port of the Year award at the 3rd South East Asia CEO Conclave~
Chennai, August 01, 2011 - MARG Karaikal Port achieved yet another milestone on 31st of July, 2011 by adding container handling services to its fast growing cargo-mix. The landmark was achieved when the container vessel 'M V Ruhunupura', called at the port to discharge and load containers for the very first time. The container carried multiple cargo across a diverse customer base.
The event marked start of regular container feeder services to MARG Karaikal Port, thereby linking the port to key overseas import and export destinations of the world through the transhipment hub of Colombo besides offering connectivity to domestic destinations such as Vizag to facilitate and promote coastal movement of cargo within the country.
Commenting on the launch of container services at MARG Karaikal Port, GRK Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director, MARG Ltd, says "The launch of container handling services at MARG Karaikal Port will provide local industries with a cost effective and time efficient alternate. Central Tamil Nadu region is home to key foreign trade industries such as garments, textiles, cement, engineering goods and machinery, paper, granites, steel scrap and seafood exports which would derive significant benefits by opting for MARG Karaikal Port to ship their containers. The Port's single-window model with customer centric operations, simplified operating procedures and quick response time will avoid delays and high costs currently associated with the container trade at present".
The port's excellent road and rail links connect it to important trade and industry hubs in the hinterland areas and provide multiple transportation options for containers moving in and out of the port. With a view to providing additional value to prospective container cargo customers, MARG Karaikal Port has already inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) to provide dedicated regular container train services linking the port with CONCOR ICDs in locations such as Coimbatore, Tirupur and Bangalore (Whitefield). This move is expected to benefit importers and exporters situated close to these hubs to effectively utilize the advantages offered by MARG Karaikal Port for their container cargo needs.
Commenting on this new development, M.L.N. Acharyulu, Executive Director- Marine Infrastructure at MARG, said "MARG Karaikal port is fast emerging as the new Gateway to Central Tamil Nadu since its launch in 2009. With MARG Karaikal port developing state-of-the-art container handling port operations in close proximity to the region's industrial facilities, the local trade can look forward to reductions in logistics time, inland haulage costs and truck detention period."
Designed from the outset to be a modern, deepwater multi-commodity port with the latest cargo handling equipments and processes, the port's modern infrastructure with deeper draft capable of handling even Panamax vessels offers container lines an attractive port of call on the South East Coast of India, close to a region with a rich industrial base and high involvement in international trade. The port boasts of a full suite of capable equipment for handling containers including 3 Liebherr Mobile Harbour Cranes, Reach Stackers and other associated equipment and the port has also invested in dedicated infrastructure for container handling including sufficient open storage areas and warehouse spaces.
MARG Karaikal Port's operational processes and practices are on par with the best in the industry and the port has managed to bag ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certifications in a record time, demonstrating the maturity and quality of operational processes followed at the port. The suitability and capability of MARG Karaikal Port's physical infrastructure and operational practices for container handling have been proven with the port's cranes achieving a handling rate of over 25 moves per hour with the very first container vessel itself.
About MARG:
MARG Limited (BSE: 530543), incorporated in 1994 and headquartered in Chennai, is an infrastructure, real estate development and services company. The Company is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and its shares are traded on the NSE under the category of 'Permitted Security'. The holistic regional development undertaken by the group is unlocking economic prosperity and creating inclusive & sustainable growth models.
Listed by Dun & Bradstreet among "India's Top 500 Companies 2010", MARG Group has projects worth more than Rs. 5000 crores under execution, global partners in the Infra space and offices spread across India, Singapore and China. MARG's businesses are organized under 4 distinct business verticals – Marine Infrastructure & Services, Urban & Industrial Infrastructure, EPC and Real Estate.
With over two decades of reassuring presence and the credit of pioneering the development of economic growth centers, MARG's portfolio spans across the entire infrastructure value chain - urban and industrial infrastructure, urban residential clusters, marine infrastructure & services, malls and EPC division. The Group is expanding its sectoral presence with airport projects in Bellary and Bijapur and Multi-level car park projects. More information on MARG is available on http://www.marggroup.com
About MARG Karaikal Port
MARG Karaikal Port is a premier, hi-tech, all weather port on the South East coast of India. It is the only all weather, deep water, multi-commodity port between Chennai port and Tuticorin port and is strategically located at the middle of this 680 km coastline. Awarded under BOT basis by the Government of Puducherry, Karaikal Port is in the process of completing 2nd phase of expansion leading to a 21 MMTPA capacity by end 2011. The port will have 5 berths including fully mechanized coal berths, depth upto 16.5 mtrs, liquid cargo handling capabilities and specialized warehouses for agro products. Capacity to handle large vessels and diverse cargo, single window clearance, E2E logistics, state-of-the-art equipment, competitive tariffs and an ideal location are hallmarks of the MARG Karaikal Port. More information on MARG is available on http://www.marggroup.com |
