Kolkata, Jan. 25 The throughput of tea exports through the Container Corporation of India's Amingaon (Guwahati) inland container depot (ICD) in the current fiscal is likely to reach the level of 3,000 TEUs against 2,440 TEUs last fiscal.
“If the throughput level reaches the level of 3,000 TEUs, about which we're very hopeful, it will really be an achievement because never before did Amingaon ICD handle so many boxes of tea exports”, according to a spokesman for Concor here.
“The last highest throughput was 2,758 TEUs achieved in 1997-98”.
There are reasons for optimism. Up to 19 {+t} {+h} rake which just left the ICD, the throughput has been 2,395 TEUs as compared to 2,020 TEUs handled till 19 {+t} {+h} rake last year.
The tea exporters are believed to have assured Concor that, given the present buoyant tea demand in the world market, it should be possible to push another 600 TEUs or so till March.
A BLC rake being operated between Amingaon and the Kolkata port can handle 90 teus; which means another seven rakes will be needed to reach the target.
“Right now, we've two BLC rakes operating in the circuit and depending on the demand, we can place a third rake”, the spokesman observed.
McLeod Russel is the largest shipper through the Amingaon ICD, accounting for 1,781 TEUs out of the total of 2,395 TEUs so far as against 1,696 TEUs in the same period last year, followed by APJ Tea 303 TEUs (42 TEUs), Assam Company 194 TEUs (217 TEUs). This new entrant is Warren Tea, so far sending 80 TEUs. This is for the first time Warren Tea is participating in the shipment through the ICD.
Among the shipping lines, Shipping Corporation of India tops the list, 848 TEUs or 35 per cent share of the total, followed by APL, 762 TEUs (32 per cent), K Line 467 TEUs (20 per cent), Maersk Line 253 TEUs (11 per cent) and Mediterranean Shipping Company, 57 TEUs (two per cent).
Source : Business Line