Bengal Tiger Line (BTL) has commenced a container feeder service between Marg Karaikal Port and Colombo. The inaugural call of the 1,900-TEU box vessel M.V. Tiger Bridge on February 15 was marked by exchange of mementoes between the Master of the vessel and the port management. Initially, the service will have a fortnightly call, i.e. every alternate Friday, and later become a weekly service as volumes stabilise.

 

The inaugural call saw 50 export-laden containers of CMA CGM loaded on to the vessel.

 

This service, which offers global connections, is expected to be of immense value to the agro-industrial heartland of central Tamil Nadu, Karaikal and Puducherry, enabling businesses to competitively access the world market. In addition to providing a competitive gateway for exports and imports from this area, it will also help in reducing the carbon footprint of industries by substantially bringing down the distance through which the cargo has to be moved by road.

 

Meanwhile, the port has strengthened its presence in liquid cargo handling by commissioning additional tankage capacity of 19,000 cbm, which coincided with the arrival of the first shipment of crude palmolein. Karaikal Port regularly handles refined edible oil, highlighted an official statement.

 

This year also saw the commencement of wheat exports from the Port, which is to be soon followed by maize.

 

With these recent additions to its cargo portfolio, coupled with the launch of the container service, Marg Karaikal Port offers a comprehensive and competitive logistics solution to businesses not only in the immediate hinterland but throughout the length and breadth of the country, the statement emphasised.
(EXIMN09022013)