Cargo handling :


Cargo handling is the loading and discharging of cargo on and off a ship. There are three basic things to be carried out while handling a cargo.


1. Special attention needs to be given to the speedy handling of cargo to reduce its dwell time. The objective will be to reduce dwell time of exports from the present level of 4 days to 12 hours, and of imports for the present level of 4 weeks to 24 hours to bring us in line with internationally achieved norms. Cargo clearance will be on 24-hour basis.


2. Infrastructure relating to cargo handling like satellite freight cities with multi-modal transport, cargo terminals, cold storage, automatic storage and retrieval systems, mechanized transportation of cargo, computerization and automation, etc., will be set up on top priority basis. Such facilities have to come up at smaller places too.


3. The Electronic Data Interchange Systems will be developed and linked amongst all stake-holders in the trade.