Krishnapatnam Port, Maersk Launches Mainline Service for China

Krishnapatnam, the country’s largest all-weather; deep water port on the east-coast of India has marked another milestone towards operational excellence as it launched its weekly mainline service from China to Krishnapatnam Port. The service to be operated by Maersk line in partnership with Hanjin Shipping of Korea will provide the fastest and most competitive service to the exporters and importers of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Northern Tamil Nadu to the ports of China, Far East Asia and South East Asia.
 
The current transit time for bulk cargo like furniture, office and hotel interiors which take 40-45 days to reach the consignee will be straight halved with the launch of the new service through Krishnapatnam Port Container Terminal. The weekly call of the mainline service was inaugurated by Mr. Franck Dedenis - MD, Maersk Line, on 29th August 2016 at Krishnapatnam Port Container Terminal along with Mr. Anil Yendluri- Director & CEO, Krishnapatnam Port.
 
Mr. Anil Yendluri – Director & CEO, Krishnapatnam Port Company Limited at the inauguration said, “Andhra Pradesh, Bangalore and Hyderabad attract a huge volume of container cargo from China. Krishnapatnam Port owing to its strategic location and being a new age port is an ideal gateway for such shipments. Suppliers in China are keen to use our port as a gateway for their current shipments as it is well poised to provide a very compelling and cost-efficient route for the traders based on the Southern periphery of the country.”
 
The service has been commenced in response to a strong representation from exporters of cotton, minerals, chilies, granite etc to eastern destinations; with the service calls directed at the ports of Shanghai, Qingdao, Nansha, Xingagang, Busan and Singapore.
 
Ms. Vinita Venkatesh – Director, KPCT on the occasion said, “This weekly direct mainline service from china, Korea and Singapore to Krishnapatnam will provide importers in AP, Telangana and Bangalore the most cost and transit time efficient shipping service.”
 
The new service will also provide the fastest transit for the imports of solar panels solar park operators in Andhra Pradesh giving a fillip to the state government‘s thrust towards establishment of solar power capacity under the prestigious solar power program of Shri Chandra Babu Naidu, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. The transit time for Shanghai to Krishnapatnam Port Container Terminal is 15 days as it is the closest port to all the solar parks in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
 
CONCOR has commenced rake service (2 rakes per week) from ICD Bangalore to KPCT and thereby providing hot connection to the Vessel for exports from Bangalore and also the fastest connection for imports clearance into Bangalore. Similarly a weekly container train service from ICD Hyderabad to KPCT has been commenced by CONCOR. Mr. R. Dhananjayulu, Chief General Manager, South Central Region, CONCOR has assured trade that the CONCOR has sufficient trains available to increase the frequency of trains between Bangalore and Hyderabad and KPCT.