FACT begins coastal shipping of fertilizers

‘SSL Visakhapatnam’ carries first batch of 560MT Ammonium Sulphate from Cochin Port to West Bengal

Shipping of fertilizers to the East and the West Coast of the country has commenced by the Fertilizers & Chemicals Travancore Limited (FACT), a PSU under the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers. FACT has adopted Coastal Shipping as a new mode of transport for uninterrupted supply of fertilizers to farmers in coastal India.

Kishor Rungta, CMD, FACT and Dr Beena, IAS, Chairperson, Cochin Port Trust jointly flagged off the movement of the first batch of containers with 560 MT Ammonium Sulphate, in a function held at FACT Udyogamandal Complex, Eloor on July 28, 2020. ‘SSL Visakhapatnam’, a cargo ship, has started for West Bengal from Cochin Port on July 30, 2020. A total of 20 containers of Ammonium Sulphate will be dispatched to Haldia Port for distribution to the farmers in West Bengal.

FACT is getting active support of Cochin Port Trust in this endeavour. Fertilizers moved through coastal shipping will be carried out further through Rail to reach the required destination. Shipping of fertilizers through sea route shall ease the pressure on movement of fertilizers by rail and road to a great extent, especially during the tough time of COVID- 19 pandemic.