However, there was only a marginal drop in import arrivals – which was in the range of 43,00 TEUs during April-September against 43,843 TEUs in the corresponding period last year.

Mr M.K.M. Nair, President, Cochin Container Carrier Owners Welfare Association, said there was a drop of nearly 23 per cent in exports from the port due to lower demand. The demand for costly cargoes such as cashew and seafood has gone down.

Especially in the US and Europe, as there was virtually no buyers. Besides, the declining demand for garments in several countries had also affected the arrival of garment shipments from Tirupur through Kochi.

He attributed the marginal difference in import arrivals at Kochi to low prices for raw cashewnuts in several African countries, scraps and paper reels in the market.

Amid this depressing scenario, the non-availability of trained trailer crew in Kochi has only added to the woes of the trailer owners. Mr Nair said trailer operators were looking forward to the commissioning of Vallarpadam International Container Transhipment Terminal by March 2010, which is expected to improve the business. Once the Vallarpadam terminal becomes operational, several mainline vessels will start calling at Kochi and there would be good movement of cargo from the hinterland, he added.