ICD (Inland Container Depot) will maintain the total operational responsibilities of container movements, i.e. container gate-in, and gate-out, and preservation, placement inside the depot and outside of the depot premises. The key activities of container service department are:
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Empty Import Container Removal List Collection from Main Line Operators (MLO).
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Taking necessary removal permission from Port and Custom Authority.
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Locating containers from yard or vessel.
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Once located or traced out the containers, the team will send containers to port gate for official formalities and send out from port gate to depot.
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Surveying containers whether it is damaged or sound.
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Preparing a report of removal containers and send it to concerned MLO for their necessary update and further course of action.
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Sound Container Placement to CFS/Yard.
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Removing the laden container after stuffing from CFS/Yard.
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Keeping the laden containers in separate yard for smooth delivery.
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Empty Container Reposition to Direct Vessel Loading.
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Coordinating with Vessel Operator for container receiving and delivery.
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Coordinating with Vessel Operator for Laden Container Dispatch.
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Port Removal Monitoring.
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Daily three times physical visits at the container Yard for keeping all containers in order.
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Issuing gate pass for empty and laden container.
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Monitoring of equipment’s and the operators.
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Keeping all up-to-date information with Port/Custom.
DISTINCTION OF ICD & CFS
Functionally there is no distinction between an Inland Container Depot (ICD) and Container Freight station (CFS) as both are transit facilities, which offer services for containerization of break bulk cargo and vice-versa. These could be served by rail and/or road transport. An Inland Container Depot (ICD) is generally located in the interiors (outside the port towns) of the country away from the servicing ports. Container Freight Station, on the other hand, is an off dock facility located near the servicing ports which helps in decongesting the port by shifting cargo and customs related activities outside the port area. Container freight stations are largely expected to deal with break-bulk cargo originating/terminating in the immediate hinterland of a port and may also deal with rail borne traffic to and from inland locations. Keeping in view the requirements of Customs Act, and need to introduce clarity in nomenclature, all containers terminal facilities in the hinterland would be designated as “Inland Container Depots (ICDs)”.