Kolkata Dock System handles record container traffic

Kolkata, Sep 01 (UNI) The Kolkata Dock System(KDS) handled 21,309 TEUs (Twenty Equivalent Unit) during August, which was an all time record container traffic handled in a single month.

The KDS surpassed its previous handling record of 19,604 TEUs achieved during April. In August 2005 the System handled 17,542 TEUs, according to Dr A K Chanda, Chairman Kolkata Port Trust.

Dr Chanda further stated that during April to August, 2006 KDS handled 96,983 TEUs of container traffic against 84,553 TEUs handled during the corresponding in 2005 thus registering a rise of 12,430 TEUs and a growth of around 15 per cent.

Commodities, which contributed to the growth in container traffic at KDS, are rise in import of peas,electronic goods, machineries, chemicals and largely Nepal-bourne general cargo and increased export of pig iron, iron and steel products, Jute&Jute products, ferrochrome etc.

Dr Chanda said in its endeavour to attain customer satisfaction, KoPT has introduced various customers/user friendly measures leading to improvement in efficiency and quality of service and has also introduced several customized packages, including rationalisation of Port Tariff. The improvement in overall services coupled with various cost savings measures for port users, helped in increasing container traffic through KDS, he added.

UNI PL KK RN/DB1646