Atlas Air freighter lifts 110 tonnes of transhipped export cargo of Bangladesh from Kolkata
Image: Collected
Bangladesh may be the second-largest apparel producer on the globe after China. The united states houses factories that produce readymade garments for the world’s best brands that include H&M, Zara (Inditex), Gap, Target, Benetton, Puma, Primark, Tesco, M&S and many more. However, air freight capacity for these fast fashion brands out of Bangladesh, particularly from Dhaka, is either restricted or very costly. And the Covid-19 pandemic this year made things worse not simply for millions of folks used in these factories in and around Dhaka but getting what was already produced to markets became even more daunting with the restrictions on international flights.
However, a pilot project that was initiated by the federal government of India in November 2018 to facilitate better cargo evacuation and logistics efficiency in the region is of great help international shippers.
A circular, dated November 2, 2018, by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs beneath the Department of Revenue in the Ministry of Finance, laid out the task for a pilot transhipment of export cargo from Bangladesh to third countries through land customs station in Petrapole to sea ports in Kolkata and Nhavasheva in Mumbai and Kolkata airport in containers or closed bodied trucks. The pilot programme was offered from November 5, 2018.
It was introduced on a pilot basis to get experience and acquire feedback from the industry to be able to frame a facilitative regulation with enough safeguards. The circular has been extended every once in awhile and the board in a letter, dated February 5, 2020 and signed by Swati Bhanwala, officer on special duty for Land Customs, granted the extension of the pilot programme till June 30, 2020. On June 22, 2020, the board issued a brand new circular signed by Bhanwala stating, “After reviewing utilisation and other relevant aspects and with a view to facilitating trade, the board has made a decision to continue the facility until further direction following a procedure prescribed in the initial circular dated November 2, 2018.”
As the pilot project nears the completion of 2 yrs, global shippers have moved hundreds of tonnes of cargo from Bangladesh through Airport Authority of India (AAI) operated and managed Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose AIRPORT TERMINAL in Kolkata (CCU). Cargo has been lifted from CCU in the bellies of international passenger flights flying predominantly through Middle East airports. One of the international apparel brands which has contract production in Dhaka includes a monthly demand for 900 tonnes of air freight capacity in the peak season from Dhaka. This brand has been using the pilot project and lifting from 50 to 100 tonnes of cargo per week from CCU to its European headquarters.
On October 18, a Boeing 747 freighter of Atlas Air became popular from CCU with 110 tonnes of apparel stated in Dhaka for Inditex, which owns brands like Zara, Pull&Bear, Massimo Dutti among several others, to Zaragoza Airport (ZAZ) in Spain.
AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services (AAICLAS), the 100 per cent subsidiary of AAI which manages international and domestic cargo at all AAI airports in India, which handled the cargo at CCU said the challenge was completed in under 48 hours, which include the movement of cargo from Dhaka.
It is interesting to notice that how swiftly the federal government of India responded to the industry demand in 2018. Among the prominent voices of the apparel industry, that was looking for the most part suitable and efficient alternate route for cargo evacuation from Dhaka, was Diego Hermida. He was the regional manager import, export and transport for South Asia & Oceania at Inditex based in New Delhi. He had ample support from Keku Gazder, the chief executive officer of AAICLAS. A project of the nature involves multiple ministries at the centre and it had been Vandana Aggarwal, senior financial adviser in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, who hatched the program and ensured that it's implemented as fast as possible. It really is reliably learnt that this pilot project had been prepared, finalised and rolled out in less than 10 days from enough time she received it in her office.
While Hermida has moved back again to Spain, his successor Jon Koldo is making certain he has enough air freight capacity out of CCU and thinking about more such full freighters.
Source: https://www.stattimes.com