Need to improve Export-Import logistics efficiency & Global competitiveness: Special Secretary (Logistics)

…DPIIT deliberates on measures taken by Port Authorities to improve Port Performance Cont’d

from Pg. 4

The meeting saw participation from Officials from the Department of Commerce (DoC), Central Bureau of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Limited (NICDC) and twelvePortAuthorities.

Special Secretary (Logistics) emphasized on the need for targeted interventions to improve Export-Import logistics efficiency and global competitiveness. She said that issues related to disparity in dwell time amongst Indian ports must be addressed with the objective of achieving international benchmark at each port and port wise performance on key metrics such as turnaround time, congestion between port and the nearest check post, etc.must be improved. She also suggested standardizing processes and developing SoPs for speedy cargo clearance to improve timeliness and predictability and reduce the average release time of cargo for imports/exports. She encouraged the participants to strive to achieve the NCTF target(48hoursforseacargoand24hoursforaircargo)and institutionalizetheadoptionofLDBreportfindings.

Some initiatives / projects undertaken by the Port Authorities,includethefollowing:

• Setting up of Centralised Parking Plaza, leading to reductionincontainerholdingchargesfromRs.5000per day to Rs. 100 per day and real-time container tracking using LDB, (24 x 7 RFID tagging / de-tagging of road / rail containers at five container terminal gates) at JawaharlalNehruPort.

• To improve last and first mile connectivity, Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) is constructing (i) four lane road from Varunapuri Junction to Sada junction; (ii) fly over from Baina to Gate No. 9 and (iii) upramp at Baina connecting fourlaneflyoverofNH-17-B.

• ConstructionofsixlanegatecomplexatVishakhapatnam containerterminalforseamlessmovement.

• Cochin port & NHAI has undertaken a capacity augmentation project of the existing 2 lane NH 966B to four lane connecting Willingdon Island to Kundanoor Jn.(8Kms).

• Chennai Port is developing a Multimodal Logistics Park (MMLP) at Mappedu to provide facilities like Warehouse, Cold storage, Open storage for Containers, Automobile parkingetc.,allunderoneroofwithlatestmechanization.

• Chennai Port is developing a Buffer Parking yard in an areaof84,000sq.mtr.

During the meeting it was highlighted that for achieving thecountry’sExport-Importgrowthtarget,port-wisestrategic planning for developing adequate handling capacities, infrastructure and logistics facilities, advanced / tech-based systemsfortracking100%Export-Importcargo(containerised and bulk and break-bulk), integration with digital systems of partnercountriestobeabletotracecontainersbeyondportof call,isofcriticalimportanceforfuturedevelopment.

Special Secretary (Logistics) laid out the way ahead coveringfollowingactionpoints:

• Ports to develop strategic action plan for improving port performance / productivity to enhance Export-Import logistics efficiency and emerge as global transhipment hubs/preferredtradedestinations,etc.

• Ports to undertake predictive analysis for infrastructure planning to develop adequate handling capacity of increasedExport-Importtradeflowsinfuture.

• Increase adoption of LDB report findings, to analyse trends in dwell time, transit time, congestion, etc. Regular monitoring of data analytics such as those generated under the LDB project, may act as key performance indicators, basis on which the ports can developtheirstrategiesandactionplan.

• Identification of last and first mile gaps to enable efficient hinterland connectivity to be prioritised using PM GatiShakti mechanism. Holistic planning from multimodal connectivity to be undertaken using PMGatiShaktiNationalMasterPlan.

• Facilitate development of digital infrastructure, increase digitisation at ports, efficient service delivery includingroleofCustoms.