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Maersk Line finds competitor
CMA CGM, a French shipping company, has started providing dedicated shipping service targeting Nepali customers. Previously, only Maersk Line had been providing similar service to Nepali importers.CMA CGM, a French shipping company, has started providing dedicated shipping service targeting Nepali customers. Previously, only Maersk Line had been providing similar service to Nepali importers.
Under the revised service, the company will undertake responsibility to ferry the empty containers back to the Kolkata Port in addition to extending the turnaround time to 21 days from the current 14 days. The extended facility is expected to reduce the cost of trading for Nepali importers.
Earlier, Nepali traders had to handle the responsibility of sending back the empty containers. The importers were forced to ferry the containers from Kolkata Port and to send back the empty containers after unloading the imported goods at Inland Container Depot of Sirsiya, Birgunj, within the prescribed time. If they failed to do so, detention charges would be levied. RB Rauniyar, managing director of Himalayan Terminal, that operates Dry Port in Sirsiya, Birgunj, said two companies now have started providing the type of service to facilitate the Nepali traders. According to him, these shipping agents have now started offering 21 days detention free time for all containers bound for Nepal through railway. “A number of other shipping companies are also in the pipeline to offer similar service,” Rauniyar said. (PR)