APM Terminal Pipavav sets new standards in cargo handling during lockdown

by Suman Gupta

Pipavav, India: APM Terminals Pipavav ensured smooth operations much to the satisfaction of all its stakeholders, during the lockdown that came into effect on March 24^th, 2020. APM Terminals Pipavav, being engaged in providing essential services, has remained operational even during the strict nationwide lockdown.

The port successfully handled more than 622 container trains. The port handled 186000 TEUs and out of which 110000 TEUs were transported by trains. The port also handled Dry Bulk shipments of 0.41 Mn MT and 0.21 Mn MT Liquid from April to June 2020 without any delay. The port created additional yard space and worked with extended logistics partners to ensure smooth flow of goods and addressed many emergent supply chains needs from the customers.

One of the key highlights during this period was handling 293 trains in April 2020 alone, marking the highest number of trains ever handled at the port in a single month. Additionally, a new benchmark was also set in the area of safety with the completion of 500 days of safe operations with zero fatality and Lost Time Incidents (LTI) in May 2020.

With the business continuity plan in place, APM Terminals Pipavav continued to operate within normal parameters without any significant disruption despite limited manpower. The port safeguarded safety of its employees by strictly following the safety measures like providing PPE kits, sanitising the work place, following social distancing during commute and at operation, etc. The pilots & marine team have ensured seamless safe operations despite being the first point of contact with the ship’s crew.

According to Mr. Jakob Friis Sorenson, Managing Director, APM Terminals Pipavav, “The past months have been a testing time for us at the port, but I am pleased to say that we have sailed through the challenging winds and were operational 24/7. The smooth operations would not have been possible without the support from our external stake holders such as Customs, Railways, Container Train Operators, transporters & Container Freight Stations. We are grateful to our customers for their trust in our operations.”

During these challenging times, the company took immediate and proactive measures to ensure safety as well as continued services. The port adopted standard crisis protocol at both the international and local levels as per the various relevant guidelines of Government. of India, Government of Gujarat and other statutory bodies & administration.

In addition to providing a safe working environment for its colleagues and stakeholders, the Port also reached out to communities in and around the Port to provide necessary support to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.

About APM Terminals Pipavav: APM Terminals Pipavav [Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd.] is one of India’s leading gateway port for Containers, Ro/Ro (passenger cars), Liquid Bulk and Dry Bulk cargoes serving customers in the state of Gujarat with road and rail networks to India’s hinterland and northwest. The current annual Cargo Handling Capacity includes 1.35 million TEU Containers, 250,000 Passenger cars, 2 million metric tons of Liquid bulk and 4 million metric tons of Dry bulk. APM Terminals Pipavav is India’s first public private partnership (PPP) port in India and is a part of the APM Terminals global terminal network.