Direct ship to Europe, Nemo, calls at ICTT

CMA CGM’s Nemo service direct to Europe made its maiden call at the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) on August 28.

The vessel, MV Hanjin Buenos Aires, berthed in the early hours and sailed by 10 am on the same day with a total exchange of 525 TEUs, of which 300 TEUs were export-laden for direct Europe ports.

Kochi has seen many mainline calls of late. The proximity of ICTT to the east-west trade route, coupled with lower marine charges and high productivity, has been the major factor for this.

The terminal has also seen cargo diversions from major hinterland markers like Bangalore, Tirupur, Coimbatore and Karur.

Nemo is a premium service between Indian subcontinent and Europe and offers one of the fastest transit times for cargo from south India.

Nemo calls Damietta, Malta, Genoa, Tilbury, Hamburg, Rotterdam and Le Havre, after Kochi.

Cargo originating in south India is currently getting transshipped at various hub ports outside India. Shipping lines save huge costs incurred in feedering and transshipment of this cargo by calling directly at ICTT.

Exporters on the other hand get direct connectivity in mainline vessels and do not have the issue off rollover’s at transshipment terminals outside India. They also get a shorter transit time of the odd 4-6 days and thereby save on the cost and time, according to an ICTT press release.