Dry Port Overview
Nepal is a land-locked country and relies on the Kolkata Port in India for handling practically all of its imports by sea. Birgunj dry port at Sirsiya, in Province 2, is one of four dry ports (referred to by the Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board (NITDB) as Inland Clearance Depots (ICDs)) currently active in the country. The other three active dry ports are Biratnagar, Bhairawa and Nepalgunj ICD. In addition, five more ICDs are planned at Tatopani, Rasuwa, Kathmandu, Kakarbhitta and Dodhara Chandani. The Inland Clearance Depots are connected by road and/or by rail, to a sea port or other international dry port and operate as a centre for transhipment and importation of (sea) cargo to inland destinations into Nepal. Birgunj dry port (Birgunj Inland Container Depot) at Sirsiya is the only dry port in the country connected by railway from Kolkata via Raxaul, India to Sirsiya, Nepal.
An addition at the Birgunj ICD is the Integrated Check Post (ICP) to facilitate the customs clearance activities. The purpose of the ICP is to integrate efficient customs clearance processes at the authorized border crossing points to facilitate clearance of cargo and people in support of trade between Nepal and India. The ICD and ICP facilities are located next to each other at the border. Both of these facilities are managed by Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board (NITDB): http://nitdb.gov.np/en/
The top three land border crossings in Nepal in terms of import and export value, are (1) Birgunj (Prov.2); 34.64% of import share, (2) Bhairahawa (Prov.5); 16.92 % of import share, (3) Biratnagar (prov.1); 12.25% of import share value during July 2018-May 2019. (Ref: https://www.customs.gov.np)
Birgunj Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Sirsiya
The Inland Clearance Depot (ICD) at Sirsiya, Birgunj is the first (and only) terminal in Nepal linked by rail-road to India. On 6 July 2004, NITDB awarded Himalayan Terminal Pvt Ltd the contract to operate and manage the Inland Clearance Depot in Sirsiya. It facilitates the direct movement of containers and break-bulk cargo from Kolkata port and other places in India. It has six full-rake railway sidings. It handles more than 20,000 TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit) annually. It can store up to 1,568 TEU. It has been constructed on 38 ha (94 acres) land.
Himalayan Terminal Pvt Ltd (HTPL) is a joint venture company with Indian and Nepalese participation.
Key port information may also be found at http://www.maritime-database.com
Port Location and Contact |
|
Country |
Nepal |
Province or District |
Province 2, Parsa District |
Nearest Town or City with Distance from Port |
TOWN NAME: Birgunj DISTANCE: 8 km |
Port's Complete Name |
Sirsiya Inland Container Depot |
Latitude |
27°01'12.1"N |
Longitude |
84°50'59.6"E |
Managing Company or Port Authority
|
Himalayan Terminal Pvt Ltd for ICD Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board for ICP |
Management Contact Person |
Tanka Raj Joshi, 9845886544 |
Nearest Airport and Airlines with Frequent International Arrivals/Departures |
Simara Airport - 23.4 km |
Port Picture
Description and Contacts of Key Companies
Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board (NITDB) is operating ICP and ICD.
- Container Corporation of India Ltd. (CONCOR) is an Indian public sector company currently engaged in India in the business of providing terminal services and facilities for handling and transportation of containerized cargo by rail, road and coastal shipping, and intermodal logistics services for aggregation and distribution of cargo.
- Transworld Group, an Indian Shipping Company.
- Nepal Transit Warehousing Corporation (NTWC) is in the business of transit cargo and warehouse management at the Kolkata and Haldia port in India and in Raxaul, Birgunj, and Kakervitta in Nepal, it also provides clearing and forwarding services to public sector undertakings in Nepal for exports from and imports into Nepal.
- Interstate Multimodal Transport (P) Ltd. (IMTPL) is in the business of international freight forwarding, CHA activities, road transportation of containers and cargo in Nepal
For more information on port contacts, please see the following link: 4.4 Nepal Port and Waterways Companies Contact List
Port Performance
During June through August, when it is the monsoon season, the dry port is less busy. During festival season (Dashain, Tihar, Chhath in October/November) the dry port is very busy. From December through February, when it is the winter season, the dry port is most busy, because companies start restocking goods after the monsoon season and stockpile goods for the winter season. The dry port can be congested during these months.
Seasonal Constraints |
||
|
Occurs |
Time Frame |
Rainy Season |
Yes |
From June to August |
Major Import Campaigns |
Yes |
Festival season in October/November |
Handling Figures for 2018 |
|
Vessel Calls* |
492 |
Container Traffic (TEUs) |
43830 import 1388 Export |
*Number of Trains
Handling Figures Bulk and Break Bulk for 2018 |
|
Bulk (MT) |
497803.586 |
Breakbulk (MT) |
551844.298 |
Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges
For information on port rates and charges, please see the following link:
Sirsiya Inland Container Depot
Port Handling Equipment
Port equipment is managed by HTPL.
Equipment |
Available |
Total Quantity and Capacity Available |
Comments on Current Condition and Actual Usage |
Dockside Crane |
No |
|
|
Container Gantries |
No |
|
|
Mobile Cranes |
Yes |
10 |
|
Reach stacker |
Yes |
7 |
|
RoRo Tugmaster (with Trailer) |
No |
|
|
Grain Elevator with Bagging Machines |
No |
|
|
Transtainer |
No |
|
|
Forklifts |
Yes |
4 in condition to be used |
|
Container Facilities
With the increase in trade activities every year and without the improvement in existing infrastructure, congestion in the Dry port is an issue. Lack of proper warehousing capacity also is a contributing factor as importers can be late to clear their cargo on time. The daily off-take capacity of the port is constrained by a lack of sufficient storage space.
Customs Guidance
A new customs clearance process took effect on 2 November 2009, which automates the clearing process and allows for the pre-clearing of goods. It is strongly recommended to pre-clear the goods to save a potential 4- day delay.
Organizations are able to clear their own goods but it is recommended to use a reputable clearing agent. The clearing of goods takes 2 to 3 business days.
Main Storage Terminal
ICD has two warehouses (1. Container Freight Station Shed and 2. Good Shed) of size 7,000 m2 and 10,000 m2. The Good Shed is divided into a walled section of 300m length and a section with roof without walls of 400m (as shown below in the pictures). NITBD has started upgrading ICD in Birgunj with storage and handling facilities to handle bulk cargo.
Walled Good Shed of approx. 300 m in length
Unwalled Good Shed of 400m in
length
CFS SHED building and Area
Port Security
Security |
|
ISPS Compliant |
No |
Current ISPS
Level |
N/A |
Fire Engines |
N/A |
Birgunj Integrated Check Post
(ICP)
An addition at the Birgunj ICD is the Integrated Check Post (ICP) to facilitate the customs clearance activities. The purpose of the ICP is to integrate efficient customs clearance processes at the authorized border crossing points to facilitate clearance of cargo and people in support of trade between Nepal and India. The ICD and ICP facilities are located next to each other at the border.
The ICP Birgunj was inaugurated on 7 April 2018. Even though it is relatively new, Birgunj ICP is currently handling 70 percent of the commerce that used to pass through the Birgunj customs point.1 Based on the first 6 months of FY 75/76 Birgunj Customs contributes largest to the Tax Collection.
1 Ref: Kathmandu Post - Cargo Volume at Birgunj ICP increases Sharply
Port website: Birgunj Customs Office
Key port information may also be found at http://www.maritime-database.com
Port Location and Contact |
|
Country |
Nepal |
Province or District |
Parsa |
Nearest Town or City with Distance from Port |
TOWN NAME: Birgunj DISTANCE: 8 km |
Port's Complete Name |
Birgunj Integrated Check Post |
Latitude |
27.016721 |
Longitude |
84.842556 |
Managing Company or Port Authority |
Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board for ICP, Birgunj Customs office |
Management Contact Person |
Birgunj Customs Office Birgunj sub-metropolitan ward no. 19, Inarwa Tel: 051-522920/522220 Fax: 051-528700 |
Nearest Airport and Airlines with Frequent International Arrivals/Departures |
Simara Airport - 23.4 km |
Port Picture
Port Performance
The port is most busy during festival seasons in October and November (Dashain, Tihar, Chaat).
Seasonal Constraints |
||
|
Occurs |
Time Frame |
Rainy Season |
Yes |
From June to August |
Major Import Campaigns |
Yes / No |
Months of Festivities October/November |
Other Comments |
ICP is not functioning at full capacity due to delays in
widening the road linking it to the dry
port. |
For more information on customs in Nepal, please see the following link: 1.3 Nepal Customs Information
Main Storage Terminal
- Warehouse with refrigeration facility (Import side)-approx. 1374 m2
- Warehouse (Export side)-approx. 692 m2
- Inspection Shed (Import side)-approx. 402 m2
- Inspection Shed (Export side)-approx. 234 m2
- Confiscated Shed (Import and Export Side)-approx. 100 m2
- Animal Sheds (Import side)-approx. 100 m2
- processing Sheds total 6 No., One each at Road No. 5,6,7,8 -approx. 1250 m2 each
- 16 No. processing cabins 4 No. Frisking Cabins and 14 No. Police Post as shown on the plan
Warehousing facility at ICP
Port Security
Port security is overseen by 32 Inspectors of Armed Police force and 32 additional Security personnel. The facilities covering the area of 165 acres is well barricaded. There is 1 double storied Security Barrack in 837 m2. As a firefighting measure, there is a firefighting system complete with 5 pumps, water storage, supply lines and hydrants on strategic location within the premises.
Security |
|
ISPS Compliant |
No |
Current ISPS
Level |
N/A |
Fire Engines |
N/A |