Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) has launched a dwarf container train service from its dwarf container depot (DCD) at the port to Inland Container Depot, Kanpur.

The containers also provide a 67 percent increase in volume when double-stacked and can carry a weight of 71 tons against 40 tons by a general container. For this purpose, Indian Railways has offered a 17 percent discount on haulage cost compared with double-stack general container trains, resulting in an overall 33 percent discount to shippers.

Inaugurating the service virtually on Monday Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, Waterways & Ayush Sarbananda Sonowal said, “The commencement of Dwarf Containers train services from JNPT is a pivotal step towards streamlining the rail movement of EXIM cargo via double-stacked dwarf containers. This will give the EXIM community a competitive cost advantage by lowering hinterland logistical costs, while simultaneously enhancing rail-cargo traffic at the port.”

‘Dwarf containers’ are containers whose height is lower by 660 cm than the normal containers, giving them a logistical edge. Trailers, loaded with these containers, can navigate rural, semi-urban and urban roads through limited height subways and level-crossings in electrified sections.

“Rail movement of cargo through dwarf containers has the potential to lower the EXIM logistics costs, making Indian exports globally competitive,” JNPT said in a statement.

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