New developments at ICTT, Vallarpadam - Cabotage Relaxation Notification

 

Cochin Port Trust have released 2 important notifications for ICTT Vallarpadam on 21st Dec 2012. The first one is the much awaited notification on relaxation in cabotage policy for transhipment for Exim containers to and from ICTT, Vallarpadam. Though the Ministry of Shipping was relaxed the Cabotage policy exclusively for ICTT in Sept/Oct 2012, official notification was not released.

  

 The second important notification issued by CoPT is on increasing the declared basin / Quay draft of ICTT from 13m to 13.5m in the entire quay length of 600m. Also the authorities expect to gradually increase the draft up to 14.5 mtrs by Jan /Feb 2013.

  

Hinterland Connectivity

 Another major bottle neck ICTT has been facing is the check post issues at Walayar , which connect the hinterlands to ICTT/ Cochin Port. Though Joint efforts of DP World and Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry smoothened up the working conditions at the check post, the trade has been requesting for commencement of the Gopalapuram check post as an alternate back up option for a long time. Finally on 30th Nov 2012, the commissioner , Commercial taxes issued a notification permitting movement of customs sealed export container through Gopalpuram Check post. This is expected to facilitate smooth /fast movement of containers from hinterlands to ICTT.