Maharashtra steel major sets up Inland Container Depot

Viraj Profiles Ltd has set up a Rs.90 crore world-class Inland Container Depot at Tarapur in adjoining Thane district.

The Vaishno Container Terminal ICD providing easy access to the Mumbai Port Trust and Nhava Sheva Port Terminals- was inaugurated Thursday by V.S. Krishnan, chief commissioner of central excise, customs and sales tax.

This is the first foray by the $1.50 billion leader in stainless steel long products into the logistics sector, said Neeraj R. Kochhar, company chairman and managing director.

Well-connected by rail and road with the Nhava Sheva Terminal, the ICD is spread across 11.4 acres for container stacking and handling of 5000 TEUs per month, 33,000 sq.ft. warehousing for import/export, LCL-FCL, state-of-the art handling equipment, maintenance and repair facilities at the site.

According to Kochhar, the western highway, being the country's busiest industrial corridors, such facilities would reduce costs and would provide the much-needed competitive advantage to businesses.

Customs clearance facility near the centre of production-consumption, reducing clearance time considerably, reduced demurrage, pilferage and logistics would attract commercial units.

"Being associated with manufacturing for a long time, we realize how important it is for businesses to focus on their core activities and not get distracted by routine tasks, which can be very time consuming and expensive. As businesses get more globalized, competitiveness is key. The Vaishno Container Terminal will provide one stop shop in logistics and deliver operational excellence to the manufacturing units in and around the area," Kochhar said.

Expressing optimism over the need for more such facilities, he said his company would explore more locations around the country to open similar ICDs.

Viraj Profiles, with its main 500,000 tonnes per annum steel manufacturing unit located in Thane, ranks second in the world for steel long products and global topper in stainless steel flanges, with 1,300 customers across nine countries.

Its products include wire rods and wires, fasteners, bright bars, profiles and fangles, bagging it the SEEPZ-SEZ Higher Exporter Award in 2010.