DP World Cochin and the Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) are taking a major step towards further extending the reach of the Vallarpadam International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) beyond Cochin into the hinterland markets in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The two will be signing a MoU Friday

afternoon to operate a facilitation centre at Walayar check post to assist the ex-im trade in quicker movement of containers, according to Exim News Service.

The KCCI has been running the facilitation centre since 2006 for its members. Under the new agreement between DP World and KCCI, the facilitation centre will operate 24x7 providing necessary assistance to all ex-im traffic moving through the check post to/from the ICTT. The facilitation centre is equipped with all the communication facilities and manpower required to ensure prompt assistance and minimal time wastage.

With the ICTT operational and main line services soon directly calling, ex-im cargo movements from major markets like Coimbatore, Tirupur, Salem and Bangalore through the largest check post are expected to increase exponentially. The facilitation centre is a step ahead of demand, and will assist customers in clearance of their cargo at the check post. It will also be a coordination centre for the terminal operator to know the inflow of containers to the terminal from the hinterland well in advance of the actual arrival of the container at the ICTT.

Earlier, exporters had to rely only on the truck drivers, who often did not have the knowledge or assistance at the check post to get their goods cleared quickly.

Commented Mr K. K. Krishnadas, CEO of DP World Cochin, "With the setting up of the facilitation centre at Walayar, we are fulfilling a long-standing request of the ex-im trade from the hinterland and showing commitment to go beyond the gates to support customers."

With the opening of this facilitation centre at Walayar check post, DP World is reaffirming its commitment to the ex-im trade in the hinterland, said a release.