Exporters will now be issued single Customs permission for their consignments that will be valid at all the 34 shipment ports, according to a recent directive from the Revenue Department. This move will bring down transaction costs and time drastically, the report stated.

Earlier, exporters required station-wise Customs permission to despatch their shipments.Exporters, however, would have to provide a list of ports to the CBEC they want to despatch their goods from.
"It has been decided by the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) to provide for the grant of a single factory stuffing (container) permission valid for all the Customs stations instead of Customs station-wise permission," the Department said in a communication to Customs authorities.

A task-force headed by the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Mr Jyotiraditya Scindia, had recommended a single permit regime for exporters for all the Customs stations.

Transaction cost works out to 7-8 per cent of total export value in the country at present. This move is expected to not only bring down costs but also save time.

The country has 34 airports, seaports and inland container depots which have provisions for electronic Customs clearance. About 90 per cent of the exports take place from these locations.

BPCL global bunkering
facility at Cochin Port

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) has commissioned its international bunkering facility at the south coal berth in Willingdon Island off Cochin Port.

It was jointly launched by Mr Stefan Herde, Managing Director, Matrix Bharat Marine Services Pvt. Ltd, Singapore, Mr N. Ramachandran, Chairman of Cochin Port Trust and Mr D.M. Reddy, Executive Director (I&C), BPCL.
With this facility, BPCL can now offer international bunkering of furnace oil at competitive rates.
BPCL inaugurated its first exclusive international bunkering terminal at Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNP) in May this year.BPCL also plans to start similar initiatives across all the other Major Ports, it is learnt.
BPCL will also be soon going to commission a dedicated barge loading jetty at its Irumpanam installation to cater to the coastal vessels.

It has allied with Mabanaft GmbH & Co (leaders in international bunkering), having a presence all over the world, through a joint venture company, Matrix Bharat Marine Services Pte Ltd.
BPCL can now leverage its international expertise in bunkering and shore up volumes. This will also benefit the Port and international vessels calling at the upcoming Vallarpadam international container transhipment terminal (ICTT).
In view of the Port’s geo-strategic advantage, and proximity to international shipping routes, as well as the upcoming mega projects, throughput at the gateway facility is expected to grow exponentially.

Wartsila India moves to
eco-friendly Chennai office

Wärtsilä has shifted its office to a more economical and environment-friendly neighbourhood in Chennai. The new workplace enables Wärtsilä to economise on cost as well as ensure easy access for all activities taken under one roof for its land and marine customers.

Mr Rakesh Sarin, Managing Director of Wärtsilä India Ltd, said, "Chennai is an important hub for business in India. Our power plants are well-known for their flexible design, high efficiency and low emission levels for base load, peaking and industrial self-generation purposes as well as for the oil and gas industry.

"In the shipping sector, every second ship is serviced by Wärtsilä and every third ship is powered by Wärtsilä. Our service business in India caters to gas conversion of existing HFO engines, upgradation, retrofits, efficiency improvement, environmental solutions, turbine generators, oil and gas (rigs, etc.), onshore and offshore, dry docking and workshops and servicing coastal ships, Defence (Navy/Coast Guard) and OSVs and even more."

"Wärtsilä India is committed to the growth of the services sector. We aim to be the most valued business partner of all our customers. Our new office is designed to give our customers value for money and superior quality service which they have come to rely on from us," he asserted.

SCI takes delivery of 1st of
6 LR-I product tankers

The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd (SCI) last week accepted delivery of the first of six Long Range-I (LR-I) product tankers, m.t. Swarna Sindhu.

The LR-I product tankers are being constructed at STX Shipyard, one of the shipyards of repute in Korea. Orders for these vessels were placed in October 2006. The remaining five are scheduled for delivery by October.
The vessel has a gross tonnage of 42,845 tonnes and deadweight of 73,368 tonnes at scantling draught. Classed with LRS and IRS, it has been built to comply with the latest and most stringent international regulations.
The ship also meets the requirements of the ‘Green Passport’ notation, a safe and environmentally-sound approach from building stage to recycling.

Considering that the country is heavily dependent on import of crude oil and transportation of petroleum products along the coast, having product tankers under its flag provides vital energy security, points out a release.
Energy transportation has continued to remain the core business segment for SCI and the induction of this vessel into its fleet is expected to strengthen the company’s position in this area.

With the addition of m.t. Swarna Sindhu, SCI’s fleet strength has increased to 74. Acquisition of these vessels is in line with SCI’s strategy of maintaining a modern and young fleet. The company has 29 vessels on order currently, with 10 of these slated for delivery this calendar year, the release discloses.

DP World fulfils green commitment

DP World Nhava Sheva (NSICT), from the time it commenced operations in 1999, has integrated and underscored its responsibility as an environmentally-conscious organisation in its operations.
In furtherance of its concern for the environment, NSICT inducted two CNG buses for its staff, in the terminal. This initiative will be extended to all vehicles plying within the facility, leading the way for environment-friendly vehicular traffic in JN Port.
NSICT has thus become the first organisation to introduce such buses within Nhava Sheva.

In a simple yet momentous function, Mr Anil Singh, Senior Vice-President and Managing Director, DP World, Subcontinent Region, flagged off the buses on their inaugural drive taking the staff home in less ‘exhausting’ transport.
Eager to seize every opportunity to effect carbon reduction, water management and individual responsibility for one’s environment, DP World has ensured that its Environment Day commemoration programmes also include outreach initiatives.
Its commemoration of World Environment Day on June 5 each year, has witnessed giant strides towards including all its stakeholders in new projects of environment protection. This year, World Environment Day was commemorated with two special initiatives—rainwater harvesting and installation of bird-baths.