Warehousing tasks

THE Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) started its operations at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port in 1989, managing and operating a container freight station (CFS). Subsequently, the central warehouse, Kalamboli, was converted into a CFS for exports after some structural modifications, and added to the JNP Region of the Corporation. In 1996, export operations were shifted to CFS, Dronagiri node. The present handling capacity of the region is 3,87,950 tonnes.

When the Jawaharlal Nehru Port was commissioned, the CWC, having already established itself in the field of managing air cargo complexes and container freight stations, was the natural choice to manage its CFS. An agreement for this purpose was finalised between the CWC and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) as approved by the Ministry of Surface Transport.

This CFS is situated 7 km from the container terminal within the port area and is spread over an area of 21 hectares. It was initially commissioned with a covered area of 25,000 square metres in two sheds. Later, 9,000 sq m of covered area was added for the storage of long-standing import cargo and hazardous cargo. The JNPT has also developed an open container yard spread over 48,292 sq m. The CWC developed an open container yard spread over 22,550 sq m.

After operations began at the JNPT, the first container was rolled into the CFS from the port on May 5, 1989. While in the first month the CWC handled 438 TEUs (twenty foot equitable units), the figure was 27,783 in January 2002. Compared to 23,269 TEUs handled during 1989-90, 3,14,122 TEUs were handled during 2000-01, marking a growth rate of 1250 per cent over a period of 11 years and an average annual growth rate of 114 per cent.

The CFS functions round the clock except on three national holidays to move containers. However, for the purpose of trade dealings the CFS functions six days a week in two shifts.

Import-related activity goes on in one warehouse, where Indian cargo is de-stuffed and reworked destination-wise. The consolidators, freight forwarders and shipping agents are allowed to file the SMTP after the vessel operator files the IGM . The CWC, which is operating at 25 inland container depot (ICD) destinations, organises stuffing of containers and arranges onward despatch in terms of destinations through the import continuity bond. This is advantageous to small importers operating at inland destinations.

Operations at this CFS have been fully computerised since the beginning. It operates under the single window concept in order to ensure efficient service.

The infrastructure developed by the JNPT at the CFS was not adequate to meet the projected growth in traffic and therefore the port authorities requested the CWC to create additional infrastructure. Accordingly, the CWC took over 16.5 hectares of land just outside the port area in the Dronagiri node warehousing complex developed by the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO).

The CWC has covered accommodation of 40,000 sq m comprising four sheds of 10,000 sq m each, besides two open container yards of 50,550 sq m. The CFS has a two-storey office complex housing customs facilities and the CWC as well as user-facilitation centres. A complex with a covered capacity of 20,000 tonnes across three sheds to receive and store undocumented export cargo started functioning on July 15, 1999.

An export hub facility was started in August 2000, and it handled about 250 TEUs a month. The facility was to be extended to all the other sheds from October 2001 in order to meet the demands of the trade, so that shifting of local cargo from one shed to another would be minimised.

Operations at this CFS started in December 1993 initially for both import and export. Overcoming teething problems, the CFS, Dronagiri node has developed itself into a nerve centre for export operations through the port. The concept of a buffer container yard was conceived and it was created on an area of 40,000 sq m, adjacent to the CFS, in order to decongest the port. Meant to accommodate undocumented factory-stuffed export containers, it was handed over to the CWC in August 1997 for management and operation. It handled 53,276 TEUs in the first year. The figure crossed one lakh in 2000-01.

This buffer container yard is a unique one, handling the maximum number of containers and operating round the clock with the least number of people, yet turning out the highest productivity in its segment.

The CWC has started its own buffer container yard on 12.5 ha received from CIDCO. Of this, an area of 50,000 sq m has been paved and surfaced with compressed cement concrete blocks in the first phase. This yard became operational in June 2001 but it is yet to overcome teething troubles.

The CWC has purchased 30 ha of land with feasibility of having a railway siding laid at the Dronagiri node for the expansion of the CFS and for warehousing. At this new site a multipurpose rail-linked warehousing project is envisaged to cater to future warehousing needs. In line with a policy decision, an alliance with prominent agencies in connected fields of activity is planned. That joint venture will facilitate flexibility and versatility, enabling the CWC to compete with other operators and to leverage the advantages and strengths of such partners. With this new project the CWC owns 62 ha and retains on lease 23 ha of the port area. The infrastructure under its operation will be equal to that available with all the other CFSs operating in the JNP area put together.

After the CWC successfully completed the first 10-year term of management and operation of the container freight station and the buffer container yard, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port renewed the contract for five years from June 1999.

The JNP region of the CWC is coordinating the road movement of other import and export containers and also supervising the movement of vehicles between the ICD, Patparganj, Delhi and the JNPT. Operating a port-based CFS, this region has the inherent advantage of being able to maintain close liaison with the port. It connects directly with the port's computer network, thereby facilitating quick and direct access to information with regard to the movement of containers.

The CWC obtained ISO 9002 certification in 1998. It has been cleared in the surveillance audits conducted by the quality registrar. With its creditable record of service and continuous efforts for improvement, the CWC has been able to withstand competition from other CFS operators in the JNP area.