BSN Network / Kandla
Monday, February 22, 2010

ABG KCTL and EXIM Club Ahmedabad chapter met with Trade at Ahmedabad recently. Trade representatives comprising of customers, freight forwarders, custom house agents, main line operators, officials from CFS and CONCOR and many others attended the interactive session on ‘ABG KCTL: The Future Port on Western Cost of India.’

This is the second such event organized by ABG KCTL for Ahmedabad Trade and many more events are planned for the times to come.

Mr. S. Senthilkumar, Terminal Manager ABG and Mr. M.S.Balani, Additional Traffic Manager, KPT and other officials from ABG KCTL interacted with the trade participants. From EXIM Club- Ahmedabad Chapter, Mr. Jyotindra Kothari, President and Mr. Jyotindra Shah, Hon. Secretary graced the event.

First half of the meet focused on the advantages offered by Kandla Port over other Gujarat Ports. Mr. M.S. Balani, Addl. TM Kandla Port, delivered a brief presentation on Kandla Port covering infrastructure, port productivity, milestones achieved and future plans. He said that Ahmedabad is a region which is center of cargo generation and Kandla being the nearest gateway terminal can support it to the fullest extent. He also focused on the vast hinterland covered by Kandla Port.

It was followed by a presentation on Container Terminal Operation at Kandla Port by Mr. S. Senthilkumar, Terminal Manager, ABG covering Terminal Profile, infrastructure and operational productivity, efficiency and Cost Effectiveness. He said ABG KCTL was the closest gateway terminal to Ahmedabad both by rail and road. It is the closest to Gulf and Middle East destinations providing shortest distance and fastest transit time than any other port. It offers cost benefit and is also the preferred port for Coastal Trade.

Mr. Jyotindra Kothari, President-Exim Club congratulated ABG KCTL for its performance and sought more such trade gathering to exchange to explore the possibilities of better logistic solution to trade.

Mr. Samir Shah, Hon. Secretary while appreciating ABG KCTL for its proactive step toward the trade facilitation expressed happiness about sharing Exim Club’s views. Significantly, he shared concern about Cargo from Gujarat moving out to other State. He suggested that as there has to be a better exim movement solution for Gujarat cargo which should be logistically viable, cost effective and sustainable.

Among the distinguished delegates present were Mr. Joseph Abraham, President, Ahmedabad steamer agents association, Mr. Sheshagiri Rao, CONCOR, Mr.Sahariya, Manager-CWC and Capt. Grewal, Director- Aditya CFS were present amongst the delegates. The event was further enlivened by the interaction between the speakers and trade participants at the end of each session. Mr. Balleshwar, Head - Marketing, ABG KCTL highlighted the market potential and needs of the trade. He said ABG KCTL is capable of handling huge volumes and is geared for continuous improvement. The success can be gained only by constantly updating and upgrading ourselves. Capt. Manish Mittal, Sr. Ops Manager, ABG KCTL assured its excellent services to trade and holding more such events.

The management of ABGKCTL informed that ABGKCTL is now eventually positioned themselves as a most preferred port for Coastal, Middle East and Karachi Destination. They also hope that as a growing terminal and by attracting more such services the container volume in the terminal would be bound to grow in the times to come.

The management has expressed a deep sense of gratitude to Exim Club Team for extending their wholehearted support to the terminal and has assured to offer excellent terminal services at Kandla.