Kolkata Port, now known as Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, grants a 25 percent export waiver through its Kolkata Dock System to attract northeastern and eastern region exporters.
This discount on power for refrigerated containers (reefers) aims to enhance the export of perishable goods. Reefer containers play a pivotal role in maintaining perishable goods’ freshness during transportation.
The port aims to raise capacity utilisation from below 50 percent to 70 percent with this rebate scheme, positioning Khidderpore dock advantageously against other east coast ports.
It will be available for a year, helping exporters save approximately Rs.4,000 per TEU (tonne equivalent unit) considering reefer containers’ typical dwell time. While the discount affects their power charge margins, exporters anticipate increased overall profitability due to higher volumes.
Kolkata Port strategically benefits West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and the Northeast. Bengal and Odisha are major shrimp exporters, while the Bihar/Bengal border area of Krishangunj exports significant meat quantities, with Bengal alone exporting shrimps worth Rs.4,000 crore annually.
