Adani Ports, which is set to start gateway cargo or export-import cargo, is planning to explore the potential of setting up a special economic zone (SEZ), a logistics hub and warehouses for Vizhinjam international port. The aim is to give a fillip to port led development.
Harikrishnan Sundaram, head of container business at Adani Ports & SEZ, said the company would try to replicate its success at Mundra port, where it set up an SEZ.
Speaking at the Vizhinjam Conclave, Sundaram said that an industrial ecosystem was important to drive port-led development.
“Jebel Ali port successfully built an ecosystem that fuelled its growth and played a key role in the UAE’s economic transformation. A similar model should be implemented at Vizhinjam ,” he said.
As traffic is increasing at Vizhinjam port, the customs department is speeding up installing an online system to clear paperwork relating to the entry and exit of ships and containers. Filing of bills of entry, shipping bills, general manifests and import-export documents to get customs clearance will soon be hassle-free as Indian Customs Electronic Data Interchange System (EDI) will be installed at the port in 10 days.
Assistant commissioner of customs at Vizhinjam port Gomathi said at a panel discussion at Vizhinjam Conclave that the online system would be implemented as documents for customs clearance have to be filed manually. EDI is mandatory for all documentation at ports. “We need around three to four days to test using 8-10 bills. After that, a public notice will be issued and the system will be available,” she added.
Customs efficiency is important to minimize dwell time at the port, said Gomathi.
