JNPT cuts export dwell time of cargo by 31 pc to 63 hours: Shipping Secy

India's largest container port JNPT has significantly cut export dwell time of cargo by 30.7 per cent to 63 hours and is developing an e-market portal for evacuation of import containers within 24 hours from the terminal, a top official said Monday.

JNPT is one of the top 12 major ports in the country under the shipping ministry. It has contributed significantly in improvement of India's rank in World Bank evaluation in the parameter 'Trading Across Border' from 146 to 80.
"Export dwell time at JNPT which was hovering around 91 hours in 2014-15 has been reduced to 63 hours in September 2018. Ministry of Shipping has been continuously striving for faster cargo evacuation and reduced dwell time at the port," Shipping Secretary Gopal Krishna told media.


The port has taken a slew of steps to encourage direct port delivery (DPD) through its terminals by simplifying the registration processes, rationalising the handling charges and removing the need for deposits besides creating physical infrastructure to cope with increased DPD clientele.

The port is also working on introducing a transport arrangement to serve the dual purpose of reducing congestion in the port access road as also in operations.

"Studies conducted for improving cost and dwell time at JNPT have indicated that around 2,500 trailers bringing boxes from JNPT's deep hinterland return empty from the port, even when over 3,000 import containers are lined up for evacuation to container freight station (CFS) at any point of time," the secretary said.