TRADE PARTNERS FROM MAERSK LINE, SRIVALLI SHIPPING AND CONCOR OFFICIALS INITIATE MAIDEN RAKE MOVEMENT TO ICD BIRGUNJ, NEPAL
After a long pursuit, Vizag emerged as an alternative gateway to landlocked Nepal when the first rake moved to ICD Birgunj on 6 th Jun'17. Indeed a historic moment for both Vizag and Nepal when a sustained effort, from both sides cracked the potential to commence a direct rake service between Vizag and Birgunj. The new product from Maersk, which offers containers at the door step of importers in Nepal, has fulfilled a long awaited target of Nepal trade. With Main Line services connectivity, the terminal is well positioned to handle Nepal cargo efficiently.
Container Corporation of India, the rail operator has been supportive of the whole venture since the time it was conceived. Competitive rail haulage from Visakhapatnam to ICD Birgunj on a two way basis was declared and Concor was also kind enough to oblige for carrying only 50 TEUs on the maiden rake. They also assured the trade of providing adequate rakes for this circuit with best transit time possible.
Ground work for direct product started six months ago when Maersk Line strategized the commencement of Nepal trade in alignment with VCT’s vision. Maersk has gone an extra mile in designing a product that offers bill of lading till ICD Birgunj. This resulted in the first ever rake movement of 50 TEUs to Nepal from Visakhapatnam early this month.
Srivalli shipping played an important role to arrange the CTD (Custom Transit Declaration), the most essential document, for Nepal’s transit cargo. Right from collection of necessary documents, clearance from embassy of Nepal and Vizag Customs to clearance from the land customs station at the border, everything was skillfully undertaken and coordinated by Srivalli.
VCT LOADING THE FIRST CONTAINER ON TO THE RAKE FOR ICD BIRGUNJ NEPAL