The Container Freight Station (CFS) of Allcargo Logistics Ltd. at AP&SEZ (Mundra)has celebrated 15 years of service to the EXIM trade. To commemorate the glorious occasion, a glittering function was organised in a hotel in Gandhidham, Kachchh. Mr. T. V. Ravi, IRS, Commissioner of Customs Kandla & Mundra, graced the event as the Chief Guest.
While addressing the audience, Mr. Ravi elaborated on the role of the CFS as one of the key links in the supply chain management. It helps in keeping the ports de-congested thusfacilitating faster clearance of cargo. He encouraged all the CFSs to implement the ease of doing business, faceless clearance and other initiatives of the government of India.
Apart from senior customs officials, other dignitaries who were present at the event included Mr. Douglas Charles Smith, CEO- Mundra & Tuna Ports of Adani Ports & SEZ Limited, Mrs. Smith, senior port officials of DP World & AP&SEZ Limited, office bearers of the Customs Brokers Associations of Mundra and Kandla, representatives from shipping liners, vendors and employees.
While addressing the audience, Mr. Suresh Kumar, CEO of Allcargo Logistics Limited, reiterated the commitment of the CFS in Mundra to adhering to the directions put forth by the honourable Commissioner of Customs.
“It’s moment of pride for all of us. Our state-of-the-art CFS at Mundra is one of the finest in India. We have achieved success at the CFS because of our extremely talented, dedicated and diligent team at Mundra and continued support from all stakeholders including customers. With their support and our progressive outlook, we look forward to the next phase of growth. Thanks to progressive and transformative government initiative like PM Gati Shakti – National Master Plan, the logistics industry as a whole will adopt an integrated approach to scale greater heights,” said Mr. Kumar.
Elaborating on the myCFS app of Allcargo, Mr. Kumar said, “With this advanced digital portal, we have introduced swift, efficient, contactless CFS services at Mundra as well as across India. Through this service, we offer our customers facilities to upload documents in advance, schedule gate-in and gate-out, access invoices and reports, avail updates, provide shipping bill declaration, confirm prior scheduling of carting vehicles etc. With myCFS portal, we have been offering our customers an unmatched service experience. The CFS services are aligned with the evolving supply chain requirements.”
The highlight of the evening was the felicitation of more than 12 women for their contribution to the shipping industry. They were acknowledged as ‘women in logistics’and handed over plaques as a token of appreciation for their work over the years in the local markets. Several top customers of Allcargo Mundra CFSwere felicitated with certificates of appreciation and mementoes.
The Mundra CFS which started its operations in 2007 is spread over an area of 16 acres with annual container handling capacity of about 75, 000 TEU. With almost 43, 000 m2 of paved yard and 12, 210 m2 of warehouse, it is one of the eight CFSs located on a single road called Bharat CFS Zone-1 of the AP&SEZ in Mundra. The CFS currently handles around 5000 TEU of laden boxes per month with an import-export ratio of 4: 1.
The Allcargo Mundra CFS offers an advanced mobile app and a portal called myCFS to its customers for tracking locations of the containers in the yard. Customers can follow the gate-in status of containers either through this app or an SMS. The facility is equipped with the maximum number of handling equipment amongst all the CFSs at Mundra. It also offers warehousing facility, safe cargo storage and delivery services apart from a number of value-added services such as reefer monitoring, storage and handling of empty containers, etc. The CFS is AEO-certified and has RFID-tracking, ISO and OHSAS certificationsas well as C-TPAT certification.
Moreover, Allcargo Mundra CFS adheres to the GO GREEN initiatives. As part of that initiative, it uses eco- friendly solar power (cells installed on the warehouse rooftops) to reduce the carbon footprint. Under the NO PLASTIC drive, the facility uses only eco-friendly materials for all purposes. Meanwhile, Allcargo’s Chennai CFS also completed 15 years in operation in April 2022.
