Krishnapatnam Port Container Terminal (KPCT) has sailed in to a new frontier with the addition of Bengal Tiger Line’s (BTL) new Colombo feeder service (BOX-2) from KPCT. This new fixed day weekly service has a port rotation of Colombo - KPCT - Chennai and had its maiden call on February 7, 2014 with vessel M.V. Tiger Bridge.
In recognition of the important and valuable role being played by KPCT’s employees in the success of the terminal, the port’s Senior Quay Crane Operator launched the new service.
All NVOCCs, Liners can load on this service as it is a common carrier feeder vessel. Further, this service will provide a direct import connection from Colombo to KPCT which will enable importers in the Andhra Pradesh hinterland to bring in their cargos coming from Europe, USA, Middle East, West Africa and East Africa. Importers can request their liners to import their cargo through KPCT to enjoy cost and time benefits. This will benefit import cargos like cashew from Africa, metal scrap for Middle East / US, timber from US / Canada / South America / Africa and raw materials for the paper and chemical industries, etc.
In fact, importers will benefit from a shorter transit time to KPCT than to Chennai as the BTL service calls KPCT before it calls at Chennai. As the trade is experiencing the benefits and the potential of KPCT more and more liner companies are encouraging imports into KPCT. Liners are agreeing to importer requests for Change of Destination (COD) to KPCT even though the shipment has already sailed from load port and is in transit to Colombo.