The volume of cargo handled by the Kottayam port—the country’s first multimodal Inland Container Depot (ICD)—has increased sharply as a result of an increase in the exports of rubber products, which has outstripped imports for the first time. According to estimates, total cargo transported through the port this year increased to 2,779 teus from 1,747 teus the previous year. The number of exports increased dramatically year over year, from 718 teus in the previous year to 1,980 teus this year. Meanwhile, imports have decreased from 1,029 teus the previous year to 799 teus this year.
“The objective is to take the total volume of business to 2,800 teus by March 31,” said Roopesh Kumar, General Manager, Kottayam port. He attributed the sharp rise in business this year to the export promotion schemes by the government as well as the attempts by the port authority to develop the facility as an export-oriented unit. Rubber and rubber-related products accounted for majority of the exports from the port, followed by wheat powder.
Presently, the ICD runs its operations using a barge with a capacity of 10 teu. A new barge with a capacity of 28 TEUs is expected to join its fleet in six months, followed by another one later next year. As part of scaling up operations, the ICD authority is also setting up a consolidated cargo warehouse with a built up area of 25,000 square feet.
