Tamilnadu CFS’s grapple with resumption in aftermath of ‘Michaung’

Padmesh Prabhune

Operations at container freight stations (CFS) in Chennai and Thoothukudi remain disrupted as most of them continue to deal with the aftermath of the recent heavy rains. The deluge dumped by Cyclone Michaung in Chennai and the North-East monsoon in Thoothukudi has led to extensive waterlogging and damage to cargo at the CFSs.

The operational challenges at the CFSs have spilled over to the ports, impeding the flow of containers. Operations at key container ports—Chennai Port, Kattupalli Port, and Ennore port, which were then crippled, are gradually restoring cargo movements along the east coast corridor.

There are around 30 CFSs in North Chennai and 16 in Thoothukudi, which serve as warehouses for goods awaiting shipping through containers. They play a vital role in consolidating cargo that is not large enough to fill an entire container on its own (less-than-container load cargo) and serve as temporary storage for import & export of goods.

The Chennai chapter of the National Association of Container Freight Stations reported that flooding in North Chennai left several CFSs inoperable for four to five days, impacting container movement. With restrictions imposed then on the inward movement of vehicles carrying containers for export and the movement of import-laden vehicles to CFSs. This worsened the delay in container delivery and congestion at the terminals.

However, Allcargo Terminals, an Allcargo Group company which runs one of India’s widest container freight stations (CFS) and inland container depot (ICD) networks, announced that the operations at its Chennai CFS operations have now been fully restored. The facility is currently running in full capacity to serve customers. Their team has taken measures to ensure de-stuffing of containers and export stuffing of cargo in containers remains unaffected.

Marex Media