Explain Inland Container Depots (ICDs)

Explain Inland Container Depots (ICDs).

Ans.    ICDs are dry ports. Dry ports at a distance far away from the shoreline handle all the import export formalities. ICDs act like deep-water, ports installed inland or interior where the natural benefit of shoreline is non-existing. This a large warehouse where containerized cargo is accepted for export. The exporter books his cargo at an ICD and completes all export formalities. Thereon ICD moves the containers by movement consolidation to natural port.

Benefits of ICD :

1.      ICD connects, major ports to hinterland.

2.      ICD facilities customs clearance, export import formalities. ICDs ensure that business person does not have to go to the deep water

3.      ICD serve as consolidation facility and has handling equipment ports. Facility to group small consignment and create container loads needs handling equipment.

4.      Inter model transfer is a major operation in an ICD.

5.      ICD increase the export potential of industries.

6.      ICD decongest major ports.

7.      Benefits of containerization can be fully availed only when we have a good net work of ICDs.