The Allcargo Global Logistics vessel, m.v. Allcargo Laxmi (IMO 9008067), made her maiden call at Mundra Port on February 25 carrying project cargo, according to Exim News Service.

She berthed at 1500 hours with Capt. Raghupal Reddy at the helm along with 17 crew members. She was on anchorage for 56 hours before berthing. The Allcargo CFS, Mundra, team was on board to welcome the Captain and crew with a ceremonial puja and distribution of sweets to the entire crew. Under the able technical and operational support of Mr Sasi Kumar, the vessel completed her discharge and sailed at 0500 hours on February 26.

Allcargo Global Logistics had recently forayed into shipowning by acquiring two 6,500-DWT single deckers, which are primarily deployed on the Indian coast and in the Subcontinent. With robust economic growth, there is greater need today for shipping in general and coastal shipping in particular. Allcargo has had the vision to see this both as a necessity as well as an opportunity. The vessels have been carefully chosen so that they meet the requirements in terms of parcel size, draught limitation and limited shore lifting facilities at Indian ports, especially the smaller ones.

One of the vessels is deployed on the East Coast, while Allcargo Laxmi would be operating on the West Coast. The aim of these deployments/services is to ease the pressure on road and rail traffic—which are getting heavily congested by the day—and make better use of the country’s huge coastline and numerous ports.

Allcargo intends to be a leader in this segment and will be flexible in its approach to be in tune with the changing scenario and demands, and will scale up operations as the need/concept gains momentum, stressed a release.