Operational Concerns Affecting EXIM Trade at Adani Kattupalli and Ennore Terminals Post New TOS Implementation

Dear Customer,

At Freight Systems, we are committed to keeping our clients informed about any developments that may affect our services. We would like to bring to your attention several critical operational issues currently impacting the EXIM trade community at Adani Kattupalli and Ennore Terminals following the recent implementation of a new Terminal Operating System (TOS). These challenges are causing significant disruptions to smooth operations, leading to delays that undermine Customs and Government initiatives aimed at reducing dwell time.

Key Operational Issues:

1. Incomplete Import Arrival Lists (IAL): Import Arrival Lists provided by the terminals often lack essential information, such as seal numbers, crucial for container tracking and processing. These omissions are causing delays in handling and clearance.
2. Delays in Delivery Release Forms (DRF): Despite timely submission of the PNR list, there have been substantial delays in the issuance of Delivery Release Forms. These delays hinder the timely dispatch of containers, impacting overall supply chain timelines.
3. Container Location Unavailability: Software issues in the new TOS often lead to missing information on container box locations, severely affecting the efficiency of cargo retrieval and dispatch.
4. DRF Authenticity Concerns: Delivery Release Forms have, until recently, been issued without unique identifiers or timestamps, raising concerns around document authenticity and operational accountability.
5. Inconsistent Procedural Changes: Frequent changes in procedures, particularly for generating A4 Sheet EIRs for container scanning, are causing delays. EIRs are inconsistently issued across locations, such as the parking yard, EIR counter, or documentation office, further impacting container movement timelines.
6. Delays in Container Scanning: Limited 24×7 officer availability has led to delays in scanning containers. While we understand that Customs is working on improving this, we appreciate their ongoing efforts to ensure officer consistency.
7. Equipment and Operator Shortages: The shortage of necessary equipment and operators at these terminals has further hindered seamless operations, exacerbating delays in service.

Suggested Remedies

To alleviate the impact of these operational issues and support the continuity of EXIM trade, the CFS authorities have recommended the following remedial actions to Customs authorities:

1. Storage Charge Waiver for Delayed Deliveries: In cases of terminal-caused delays in delivery or congestion, a waiver of storage charges has been suggested.
2. Trailer Waiting Time Compensation: For trailer wait times exceeding four hours upon port entry, CFS authorities have recommended a compensation provision to cover associated costs.
3. Container Detention Cost Coverage: It is recommended that Adani bear any detention costs resulting from delivery delays to prevent financial burdens from impacting trade members.
4. Transport Costs for Misrouted Containers: In cases where containers are mistakenly loaded to an incorrect CFS, authorities have suggested that the terminal cover the cost of transporting these containers to their correct destination.
5. Uniform Free Days for CFS Boxes: While DPD boxes are allotted 14-21 free days, CFS boxes do not receive the same. A uniform allocation of free days has been recommended to prevent operational imbalances for CFS operators.

While we are committed to maintaining the highest level of service integrity, please note that these issues may lead to some delays in our operations.

We appreciate your understanding and continued support during this time. Should you have any questions or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service or sales team at info@freightsystems.com.

Regards,

Team Freight Systems