Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), India's first Container Port built on the concept of operating Container Freight Stations (CFS) beyond Terminal premises has extended its Direct Port Delivery (DPD) facility to all its Accredited Client Programmer (ACP) clients with immediate effect irrespective of their trade volume. Around 143 ACP clients will immediately benefit from extension of DPD facility.

Presently 10 - 14 agencies which are fulfilling the criteria of importing more than 300 TEUs on an average per month are availing DPD facility at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Container Terminal. The extension of DPD will enhance container movement at port thereby increasing cargo volume.

Commenting on the development, Anil Diggakar, Chairman, JNPT said "This decision is in line with directives of the Ministry of Shipping related to policy towards ease of doing business. With this, a long pending demand of the Trade bodies shall be fulfilled. This facility shall benefit importers / CHA immensely as the import laden containers will be delivered to the consignees (in this case ACP clients) directly thereby reducing logistics cost by one third".

Adding further he said, "Extending DPD facility will ensure cost reduction to accredited CBEC importers / CHA, benefiting from declining gestation period of clearing cargo from total 10-11 days to 3 days".   

As per existing norms, DPD container has to be picked up by the ACP clients within 72 hours of its landing. Otherwise, the same will be moved to JNP-CFS presently operated by Speedy Multi-modes Ltd after 72 hours to avoid piling-up of containers, if any, leading to multiple shifting/congestion. To facilitate the same, Port is making adequate arrangements in terms of yard and equipment for extending DPD to maximum ACP clients. A separate Trade Notice is already issued in the Shipping Dailies for the benefit of the Trade.