To enhance its presence in eastern India, K Line, the Japanese shipping major, has entered into slot chartering arrangement with NYK-led TCX (Thailand- East India) service covering the east coast ports of Visakhapatnam and Chennai. The new arrangement will come into force from September 7,

According to shipping industry sources, the port rotation will be: Laem Chabang - Singapore - Port Klang - Chennai - Visakhapatnam - Port Klang - Singapore - Laem Chabang. With this, the transit time between Laem Chabang and Chennai will be reduced to eight days.

K Line is also a partner in the SCI-led consortium that runs INDFEX 2 service covering Chennai-Visakhapatnam- Shenzhen-Shekou- Hongkong - Shanghai - Busan, the other partners being PIL and Hanjin. However, the number of slots allotted to the Japanese line in this service is not enough.

Meanwhile, the throughput at Visakha container terminal at Visakhapatnam port is steadily rising. In 2010-11, the throughput was 150,000 TEUs posting a growth of 48%. The figure this fiscal is likely to cross the 200,000 TEUs mark, recording an estimated growth of 35% though on a higher base.

(Sourced from BL)