JNPA implemented SoPs for streamlining operations at empty container yards; Shipping lines to make payment for the empty container yards
MUMBAI : Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority – India’s Best Performing Port, has taken proactive measures to address the concerns regarding the Empty Containers Yard by implementing Standard Operating Procedures for streamlining operations at the Empty Container Yards, as directed by the Hon’ble Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, on September 19th, 2024. It directs that the Shipping Lines should collect the payment and make the payment to empty container yards so that transporters do not wait at the empty container yard.
The Standard Operating Procedures are as follows:
● Online payments of Handling charges shall be accepted by all Depot Operating Members.
● To address the concern of the Transporters and further facilitate trade and also to avoid complications involved in payments, all the payments to ECY operators shall be made by Shipping Lines only and a fully paid delivery order should be ready before the transporter reaches the empty container yard depot.
● The depot will survey the containers & Offload the empty containers based on the Shipping Lines SOP and guidelines.
● Any Transporter who approaches the yard with an expired Empty Acceptance letter will not be entertained until they get the valid documents from the Shipping Line. It is as per the shipping line SOP.
Dr. Surendra Kumar Ahirwar, IRTS, Joint Secretary, Logistics and Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, GoI, also visited JNPA to have a discussion with the stakeholders in the presence of Shri Unmesh Sharad Wagh, IRS, Chairman, JNPA, on September 26th, 2024.
To further resolve the concerns regarding the Empty Container Yard, JNPA has identified a space of around 3.51 Hectares for the storage of empty containers in the yard. The tender for the selection of an operator is already been issued on September 28th, 2024. Also, a space admeasuring 26.20 Hectares has been identified to develop another Empty Container Yard. The tender for the operator’s selection will be issued soon. So a
total of 30 Hectares (Approx.) of land will be available for the storage/stacking of empty containers at these Empty Container Yards, within JNPA, saving considerable cost and time for the Trade.
These initiatives will significantly contribute to alleviating the shortage of space for the Empty Containers Yard, streamlining container operations and optimizing efficiency at the port.
About JNPA:
The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) is one of the premier container-handling ports in India. Since its inception on May 26, 1989, JNPA has transformed from a bulk cargo terminal into the premier container port in the country.
Currently, JNPA operates five container terminals – NSFT, NSICT, NSIGT, BMCT and APMT. The Port also has a Shallow Water Berth for general cargo. A Liquid Cargo Terminal present at the JNPA Port is managed by the BPCL-IOCL consortium. Additionally, the newly constructed coastal berth links other Indian ports and facilitates enhancing the traffic of coastal containers.
Nestled across 277 hectares of land, JNPA also operates a meticulously designed multi-product SEZ, with state-of-the-art infrastructure, to boost export-oriented industries in India.
JNPA is also developing an all-weather, deep-draft, greenfield port at Vadhvan, in Maharashtra. It is poised to be among the top 10 ports globally and will be 100% green port since its inception