CARGOCONNECT-OCTOBER2024 - Flipbook - Page 66
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Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates Tuticorin
International Container Terminal, ushering a
new era in India’s maritime growth
U
nion Shipping Minister
Sarbananda Sonowal
inaugurated the Tuticorin
International Container Terminal
(TICT) at VO Chidambaranar
Port, alongside key infrastructure
projects. Prime Minister Narendra
Modi, addressing the event virtually, praised the terminal as a vital
step in India’s path to becoming a
developed nation. With a 14-meter
deep draft and 300-meter berth,
the terminal will enhance port
capacity, reduce logistics costs,
and save foreign exchange.
The port, developed with an
investment of `434 crore, can
handle 6 lakh TEUs annually.
Notably, 40% of the workforce
comprises women, re昀氀ecting a
commitment to inclusive development. Sonowal also launched
India’s Green Hydrogen initiative
and a 400 kW rooftop solar power
plant. PM Modi highlighted India’s
broader maritime and sustainability mission, positioning V.O.C.
Port as a hub for Green Hydrogen
and o昀昀shore wind energy.
The new terminal is set to cut
operational costs by up to US$4
million annually, driving signi昀椀cant
economic bene昀椀ts for India.
Odisha Cabinet approves transfer of Gopalpur
Port shares to Adani Ports and SEZ
T
he Odisha Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister
Mohan Charan Majhi, has approved the
transfer of 95% equity shares of Gopalpur
Port Ltd (GPL) to Adani Ports and Special Economic
Zone (APSEZ) from Shapoorji Pallonji Port Maintenance Pvt Ltd (SPPML) and Orissa Stevedores
Ltd (OSL). This decision includes the signing of a
revised concession agreement aimed at developing
and expanding Gopalpur Port.
Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja announced that
GPL sought permission to transfer its shares
from SPPML, which holds 56%, and OSL, which
holds 39%. The Cabinet’s approval marks a
significant step in the port’s evolution from a
fair-weather port managed by Odisha’s Commerce
and Transport Department to an all-weather
deep berthing seaport under a public-private
partnership (PPP) in the Build, Own, Operate
Share Transfer (BOOST) mode.
Originally won through a competitive bid in
2003, GPL currently contributes 7.5% of its gross
revenue to the state, amounting to approximately
`38 crore for FY 2023-24. The port employs around
4,000 people directly and indirectly. The expansion
is anticipated to further boost revenue and create
additional employment opportunities.
CBIC extends export benefits for courier
shipments to boost e-commerce growth
T
he Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs
(CBIC) has extended key
export bene昀椀ts under the Duty
Drawback, RoDTEP, and RoSCTL
schemes to courier shipments,
e昀昀ective September 12. This move
aims to enhance competitiveness
for MSME exporters by creating a
more level playing 昀椀eld in global
e-commerce. The CBIC has also
updated the Courier Imports and
Exports (Electronic Declaration
and Processing) Regulations,
66 | CARGOCONNECT OCTOBER 2024
2010, to streamline bene昀椀t claims
through a new Notification.
Claims will now be processed via
the Indian Customs EDI System
(ICES) at International Courier
Terminals, replacing the ECCS
system. This shift supports the
Government of India’s strategy to
boost the e-commerce export ecosystem, with India’s e-commerce
exports projected to reach US$400
billion by 2030.
Challenge Group
debuts freighter
flights to Delhi
Group has expanded
Cthehallenge
its operations in India with
introduction of two weekly
flights to Delhi, starting October
03. This brings the Group’s total
to five weekly flights into India,
including three into Mumbai.
The new service will operate on
Wednesdays and Sundays using
Challenge Group’s growing fleet
of Boeing 767F aircraft, with a
capacity of approximately 52
tonnes each. The new service
increases cargo flexibility for
global businesses, enabling
better supply chain management between India and key
regions in Europe, North
America, and the Middle East.
The new frequency will boost
connectivity for essential
industries and provide muchneeded capacity for temperature controlled, time-sensitive,
hi-tech shipments, along with
other complex verticals.
Indospace leases
30,000 sq ft
warehouse space to
RGL in Gujarat's
Bavla
obinsons Global Logistics
RIndoSpace
(RGL) has inked a deal with
to lease a 30,000 sq ft
sustainable Grade A warehouse
in Bavla, an industrial area situated in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The
lease which is for a term of five
years is part of RGL’s expansion
plan and adds to its existing
footprint of over 1
million sq ft of warehousing
space across India. The facility
is primed to optimise operations
for customers across sectors,
including FMCG, automotive,
retail, e-commerce, edtech,
and more. With a total land
parcel of 50 acres, the industrial
and logistics park at Bavla is
in proximity to the Changodar
industrial area, which is the
largest industrial location of
Ahmedabad.
