Allcargo opens 7th container facility in Kolkata

Redefining container movement in Kolkata Kolkata gets a world-class container facility with the launch of Allcargo’s seventh state-of-the-art CFS in India

On 18th December 2017, four containers belonging to CMA CGM (India) created a milestone by entering Kolkata’s newest logistics facility, a brand-new Container Freight Station set up by Allcargo.

A new container freight station opening in Kolkata has a ripple effect that extends across the eastern region of India. For India’s exporters of iron and steel goods, textiles, food, machinery, hazmat, etc, Allcargo’s new CFS is a secure, safe and efficient facility. For importers, the new Allcargo CFS Kolkata offers the fastest turnaround at the port and the convenience of last-mile delivery services.

Moreover, with end-to-end services such as customs clearance, freight forwarding and LCL and FCL consolidation services and handling of Over Dimensional Cargo, the Kolkata CFS offers all customers the competitive edge of a single window for freight handling.

Says Prakash Tulsiani, ED & CEO, ICD-CFS, Allcargo Logistics: ”We are the only national CFS operator in Kolkata, and closest to the Kolkata port. In fact, we are the only CFS player present in India’s biggest ports — Mundra, Chennai, Mumbai and now in Kolkata — which together account for 83% of India’s container volumes. The C-TPAT compliant Kolkata CFS is important to us because it helps us get closer to our customers in eastern India. We will be able to tap into the growing trade from Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.”

The CFS facility occupies a 17-acre plot which can take over 1,800 containers at any point in time. About 11 acres have been opened up already, ready for customers. The facility also houses a 40,000 sq. ft warehouse.

India’s biggest network

For Allcargo itself, the Kolkata CFS represents its 7th container facility in India, a part of its pan-India footprint that covers Mumbai (Nhava Sheva), Chennai, Hyderabad, Gujarat (Mundra), Madhya Pradesh (Pithampur, Indore) and Haryana (Dadri). These together form India’s widest and strongest CFS-ICD network in India, with a capacity to handle over 700,000 TEUs

Allcargo has been a prime mover in building a pan-India CFS network and offers customers unmatchable facilities — state-of-the-art technology platforms and experienced teams, backed by world-class equipment and processes.

In India, Allcargo has pioneered global standards such as RFID tracking for containers, CT-PAT compliance, special equipment to handle over-dimensional and hazardous cargo, and rubber-tyred gantry cranes cut down on carbon emissions.

Customers are able to comfortably rely on Allcargo’s best practices in container handling, including services such as:

• Global safety and security standards, with GSV and OHSAS accreditations
• Elaborate firefighting equipment installed with hydrants positioned every five metres
• RFID facility to track containers for faster handling
• Professionally trained, equipped and experienced manpower
• Specialised equipment to handle all kinds of over-dimensional cargo (ODC)
• Equipment, processes and trained personnel to handle hazardous cargo
• Expertise in special cargo stuffing
• Standardised software that make records available real time

Backed by Allcargo’s 15 years of experience, the Kolkata CFS is able to deliver unsurpassed competitive advantages to customers, such as

• Competitively priced services
• Faster turnaround of containers
• Single-window logistics solutions for import and export cargo

The Kolkata CFS will help customers overcome existing challenges such as slow turnaround of containers and cargo clearance. Kolkata is a riverine port that cannot take in bigger vessels with a greater draft. Typically ships that dock at Kolkata depend on feeding the cargo into the port through smaller feeder vessels. Moreover, the port area is congested and often leads to traffic build up on the roads outside. In addition, Kolkata port is yet to catch up with India’s modernised ports such as Mumbai, and digitisation of operations is still underway. All of these factors add to the challenges faced by importers and exporters.

Allcargo’s new CFS will help customers ease the stress of dealing with these obstacles. According to General Manager V Ramesh, the CFS aims to cut container turnaround time down to 40 minutes. The facility maintains a separate stack yard for volume cargo which makes for easier handling and delivery. It also has its own dock levellers and a digital weighbridge. Night handling of cargo is facilitated by high intensity lighting.

Says Mr Ramesh, ”Kolkata EXIM trade has potential for growth and the Allcargo CFS can add value to the industry as a single-window service for integrated logistics.” That’s good news for business.