LCL warehouse
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IMPROVED FACILITIES ON WAY FOR LCL CARGO
In parallel with Port Point Lisas’ container throughput, there has been a marked increase in the handling of LCL cargoes – especially as more and more individuals import personal effects and shop for items on-line. The port is provided with an LCL station as well as a container examination station. The LCL station is a Customs bonded facility located 1.3 km from Port Point Lisas. The facility provides for trade and non-trade cargo and has a covered storage of 2,754 square metres capable of holding 50 TEU. The warehouse utilises forklifts and movable ramps for its unstuffing/stuffing container operations and it is facilitated with a racking system for cargo storage. The facility is open 07.00-15.00 hours, Monday to Friday.
PLIPDECO estimates that LCL imports will continue to grow by up to 25 per cent a year for the foreseeable future. To meet growing demand, PLIPDECO has significantly increased the warehouse’s racking, which now covers 75 per cent of the building, and is installing a new four container capacity ramp to speed the discharge of LCL boxes. Added to which, PLIPDECO is improving its tracking and tallying systems in the warehouse.
EXPERIENCE The LCL Warehouse facilitates a number of operators who have a lot of experience in consolidating shipments for more than one consignee. Approximately 100 customers are attended to on a daily basis at this facility. There is a permanent Customs presence on site to collect any duties and fees that may apply.
The warehouse now has an internally developed Locator Information System, which has significantly increased the level of service offered to customers. In the second phase of this development, importers will get on-line access to container and delivery information.
CONTAINER EXAMINATION The port’s container examination station (CES) is a Customs facility and requires support from government agencies such as Plant Quarantine, Bureau of Standards, Public Health, Food and Drugs, and Trade & Industry. These agencies have personnel deployed at the CES on a fulltime basis. The Point Lisas CES was the first of its kind in Trinidad, making PLIPDECO a pioneer in this field. The corporation’s role is to manage the facility and perform cargo handling.