Evolution of Containers and Developments in Indian Ports

摘要

McLean's effort to sail a vessel in US Gulf on April 26,1956 with 58 containers on board and Matsons effort to have 20 containers as bound on August 31, 1958 all made a beginning of containerization of ocean-borne cargo traffic. The effect in international ports trade was made in late 60s; ISO for container was issued in 1974.1st container ship touched Indian port in 1973 and from then the trend started increasing. In silver jubilee year 1999, Indian port had handled 19 Mn TEU; though hardly about 1% of international traffic, it is about 10% of major ports traffic. In future the JNP -would be topping in container handling, with privatized terminal in full operation. By 2001, major ports in India have handled 26 lacs TEU. Containerization has lot of advantages, but need special cranes at berth and container yards, container freight station, internal container depots, trained personnel for equipment handling and documentation, road and rail links, inter modalism and documentation has simplified the procedure. JN port has dedicated terminal, automated; in Chennai and Cochin port container berths have been developed with ADB funding. Tuticorin is developing under EOT with port of Singapore authority. Further developments under privatization are under way in Mumbai, Cochin and Kandla ports.