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Unit 11: Inland Container Depots

However, India began to seriously adopt containerisation only in 1978. Major ports like Mumbai, Notes
Cochin, Chennai, Haldia/Calcutta commenced to equip themselves for handling container
ships and containers in the appropriate way.
Shippers and consignees also responded to the opportunities and benefits in containerisation.
The buyers of Indian goods abroad stipulated in their letters of credit that the goods should be
containerised. Hence, despite the need for heavy investments and numerous problems in smooth
flow of goods, India was forced into containerisation to stay with the dominant trend in the
world economy.

11.1 Inland Container Depot (ICD) – Roles and Functions

The full benefits of containerisation can be obtained only if the containers are permitted to
move to the locations of the original cargo generation points. The Government of India decided
to set up Inland Container Depots (ICDs) which are also called dry ports. Shipping formalities
can be completed in ICDs for containerised cargoes instead of at the exit gateway port.

Note Inland Container Depots are interfaces between connecting modes of transportation.
An Inland Container Depot is an organisation offering a total package of activities to handle and
control container and general cargo flows between road, rail and waterways, and vice versa,
resulting in maximum service for inland transportation at minimum costs.
Normally ICDs provide the following services:
(i) Handling of Containers: Handling of containers from road, rail and barges to a temporary
storage area container yard.
(ii) Intermediate Storage: Intermediate between the various transportation modes. Special
containers and or cargo may require additional provisions, such as refrigeration services
and special areas for dangerous cargo.
(iii) Receipt and Delivery of Containers and General Cargo: This may include activities such as
weighing, inspection of seals and damages, sticker and safety plate control and container
information control. Stuffed containers may be received from the satellite Container
Freight Stations (CFS) in ready condition to be transported to the exit port. Shippers may
also directly bring Less than Container Load (LCL) cargoes for the purpose of consolidation
and despatch.,
(iv) Cargo Consolidation and Distribution: If the container cannot be received or delivered
directly at the final consignee’s door. In this case, containers are stuffed with or destuffed
for LCL, depending upon the direction of the cargo movement prior to despatch.
(v) Depot Functions, for the Storage of Empty Containers: Space may also be required for
temporary storage of loaded containers awaiting movement out of ICD.
(vi) Other Facilities include container cleaning services, pretrip trials of reefer containers to
check the function of refrigeration equipment, maintenance and repair services for
containers, container handling equipment, refrigeration equipment, road chassis, etc. In
this respect, ICD should make itself a self-sufficient unit.
(vii) Custom’s Clearance Activities: at inland terminals could help to decrease the dwell-time
of containers in deep-sea ports. These activities include checking of LCL cargo prior to
stuffing or after stripping, checking container seals, assessment and valuation of cargoes,
perusal of container manifests, and so on. The transport of containers under bond to ICDs

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