Maersk Line Commences New Service From KPCT
A solution providing dedicated road and railway lines, efficient terminal operations, world-class marine infrastructure, customer-centric approach, cost effective services was of utmost requirement to the Southern Andhra Pradesh, Eastern Karnataka, and Northern Tamil Nadu hinterland.
These facilities define Krishnapatnam Port Container Terminal (KPCT).
With such advantages, new Container line services are commencing from KPCT. Maersk Line, a shipping liner company, made its maiden call at KPCT on January 29, 2013. This service will have a port rotation of Chennai – KPCT – Visakhapatnam – Tanjung Pelepas – Qingdao – Xingang – Shanghai.
Maersk CHX service inaugural call was done by MV Jervis bay which has a length overall of 292.15 metres (958' 06"), a gross tonnage of 50,350.00 tonnes and can carry a capacity of T.E.U. 4,226 total. The vessel berthed at 13:45 hrs and after exchanging 626 TEUs, GCR 31.3, sailed off at 23:15 hrs.
KPCT till date was connected through fixed day services provided by Bengal Tiger Line (BTL) to Port Klang / Singapore and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) to global ports through Colombo. This new main line service is just the beginning of KPCT’s efforts in providing quality services to the Indian EXIM trade.
Realizing the potential of KPCT, XCL (Xpress Feeders) also extended their TCX service with once in 21-day rotation call to KPCT. This new service began on January 26, 2013 with a port rotation of Chennai – KPCT – Penang – Port Klang – Singapore – Laem Chabang.
The 5 nos. of Super Post-panamax Quay Cranes commissioned at KPCT are the fastest and largest among the Indian container terminals. Each Quay crane has a capacity of 50 moves per hour. The other state-of-the-art handling infrastructure includes 4 nos. of RTGs, and 5 nos. of Reach stackers. The terminal is backed with a large container yard with reefer storage facilities and on-dock rail adjacent to the central yard. KPCT also has a container freight station (CFS) facility within the port area.
KPCT, with its excellent connectivity and world-class infrastructure, is ideally placed to capture lion share of the growing Container trade to/from India.