(a) whether the goods exported/imported from/to India has to be off-loaded at mega hubs like Colombo, Singapore before they are handled for final destination;
(b) if so, the details thereof and reasons therefor; and
(c) the corrective measures taken by the Government to ensure speedy execution of already sanctioned projects in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)
(a): Yes, Madam,
(b): As per available information, during the year 2012-13, from major ports of India, 72.6% of the containers were transported to their destination and 27.4% of the containers were transhipped through Colombo, Singapore and other international ports. The shipping lines decide to use a port for transhipment depending upon several factors such as availability of vessels, availability of cargo for onward journey, cost of transhipment at the port, convenient geographical location of the port, access to major trading center etc.,
(c): The main measures taken by the Government to promote development of transhipment hub in India and avoid dependence of Indian EXIM cargo on foreign transhipment terminals are:
i) Relaxation of cabotage restrictions was granted to the International Container Transit Terminal (ICTT), Vallarpadam of Cochin Port Trust on 21 September, 2012 initially for a period of three years.
ii) The Government of India has exempted Customs and Excise Duty leviable on specified bunker fuels used in Indian flag vessels for transportation of EXIM and empty containers between two or more ports in India.