As
reported by ET Infra, Mundra Port connects to
the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor, enabling it to serve double stack
container trains for faster evacuation of containers besides improving
productivity and efficiency. A double stack container train can carry 90
wagons.
APSEZ said it has
been incurring substantial manpower costs to facilitate handling of twist locks
on double stack container rakes operating to and from the port. The operation
involves removal of twist locks from inbound double stack trains and placing
the twist locks on second tier containers on outbound trains along with
handling of twist lock inventory. These costs were not passed on to the
customer.
“Starting 1 February, a
nominal fee will be levied from the container train operators for providing
double stack handling operations at APSEZ (rail) sidings,” APSEZ said in a
customer advisory. The double stack lock charges will be Rs500 per double
stacked wagon, inward or outward. This translates to Rs45,000 per rake, inward
or outward. “These charges have been
introduced considering the operational expenses tied to this specific feature,
aimed at ensuring the continued provision of high-quality services,” the
operator added.