Mainline vessel calls at Cochin port

Kochi, Nov 28 (UNI) Cochin Port has entered a new era of handling direct mainline container vessels with the first such vessel calling at the port yesterday.

Cochin port's moment of pride came with the arrival of the first regular service of mainline vessel (M V Emirates WASL). This service is operated by Emirates Shipping Line connecting major ports and trading centers located in China, India and the Middle East, a press release from the Cochin Port Trust said today.

This mainline service, with average 3,000 TEUs carrying capacity, will call at the Cochin port twice every week. More such services are expected to commence in the next two months.

Cochin port had achieved the status of deep draft port in February last enabling bigger vessels with direct connectivity to different continents to add Cochin to their regular schedule.

With the commencement of regular mainline vessel services, the Exim trade of Kerala as well as those in the hinterland areas like Coimbatore, Pollachi, Tirupur, Erode, Karur, Dindigul, Namakkal and Bangalore will be directly benefitted. This would help avoid multiple handling of boxes, saving considerable time and money for the Exim trade, the release said.

UNI PMM OA2047