JNPT in Mumbai ships India's first 'dwarf container' trains to Kanpur

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust in Mumbai on Monday saw the dispatch of India's first-ever dwarf containers to Kanpur. As per reports, the assignment was flagged off by the Union Shiping Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal, on September 20 towards the Inland Container Depot in Uttar Pradesh. This JNPT shipment is said to foster an efficient system for streamlining rail movement of cargo, claimed Central Railway. It will further help for a competitive cost advantage by lowering hinterland logistics.

Mini containers to boost 'Make In India' campaign

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F03%2Fjn.jpg&ho=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nationalbusinessmirror.com&s=776&h=786e928dde10c0cc3606abfccf218b7b74c2df0baca8ae7fd9d99bdbc663e05f&size=980x&c=4191484374 photo_credit="" pin_description="" dam="0" site_id=20074994 caption="" photo_credit_src="https://www.nationalbusinessmirror.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/jn.jpg" crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2021%252F03%252Fjn.jpg%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.nationalbusinessmirror.com%26s%3D776%26h%3D786e928dde10c0cc3606abfccf218b7b74c2df0baca8ae7fd9d99bdbc663e05f%26size%3D980x%26c%3D4191484374%22%7D" expand=1]

Dwarf containers are much compact and are about 2.16 feet (660 mm) shorter than the traditional ISO canisters. By virtue of these dimensions, the canisters have abundant operational rims that offer a better transport facility. "Dwarf containers are port-friendly and can be manufactured in India at a cost-efficient price point, thereby opening up opportunities for Make In India." highlighted the Union Minister during the launch ceremony.

The first of their kind in the country, these containers can be hauled on trailers and transferred through rural, semi-urban and urban regions, beneath low-lined subways or level crossings. Additionally, they provide a 67% surge in volume when piled up to carry a weight of 71 tonnes against the regular 40 tonnes by the ISO containers.

Shipping Secretary Dr Sanjeev Ranjan, JNPT Chairman Sanjay Sethi and Deputy Chairman Umesh S. Wagh were present at the inaugural ceremony which took place on Monday. The shipping minister said, "This is a pivotal step towards streamlining rail movement of EXIM cargo via double-stacked dwarf containers, offering the EXIM community competitive cost advantages besides enhancing rail-cargo traffic at JNPT. Besides, the dwarf containers are port-friendly and can be manufactured domestically, opening opportunities for 'Make in India' initiatives."

Meanwhile, the Indian Railway has offered a 17% discount on freight charges compared to the doubly-stacked ISO container trains. This has accounted for a comprehensive 33% concession to the shipping company, read reports. It further lowers the EXIM logistical cost and makes the country's export evidently competitive across the globe.

JNPT to benefit from the implementation of dwarf containers

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Fmedia-library%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNzUxMDg1MC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzODE2NzU0N30.m93RFVCdXbDzFtdEPdC02gMb9E8aS3J2xjqDrYClAF4%2Fimage.jpg%3Fwidth%3D980&ho=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.knocksense.com&s=658&h=c5b29ca3e82a5278b573ccd01c21033742fc498f25efb0e52e2b5c31400ce57e&size=980x&c=3260026728 photo_credit="" pin_description="" dam="0" site_id=20074994 caption="" photo_credit_src="https://www.knocksense.com/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNzUxMDg1MC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzODE2NzU0N30.m93RFVCdXbDzFtdEPdC02gMb9E8aS3J2xjqDrYClAF4/image.jpg?width=980" crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Fmedia-library%252FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNzUxMDg1MC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzODE2NzU0N30.m93RFVCdXbDzFtdEPdC02gMb9E8aS3J2xjqDrYClAF4%252Fimage.jpg%253Fwidth%253D980%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.knocksense.com%26s%3D658%26h%3Dc5b29ca3e82a5278b573ccd01c21033742fc498f25efb0e52e2b5c31400ce57e%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3260026728%22%7D" expand=1]

JNPT, accredited in May 1989 is known as one of the finest container administrating ports in India and has emerged as the national pioneer to traverse over the 50-lakh TEUs mark. As estimated, the JNPT will benefit greatly from the implementation of the mini-container service, while amplifying growth in port cargo traffic via the railway route.

Besides, The move will also reduce congestions on the waterway and solve the issues of container shortage at the port. Additionally, the overall shipping time will improve significantly, added reports, reducing from a month to just a few days.