Cabotage of ISO Container
Extensive movement of shipping-line empty containers is undertaken by PHAR Ship to balance the differential levels of exports and imports in the country today. This movement of empty containers represents a wasted capacity, especially on routes where substantial domestic traffic is available for parallel movement by road or even on rail. In order to optimize the use of its resources, PHAR Ship offers the facility of "cabotage" to shipping lines who wish to move empty containers as balancing movements. A "cabotaged" container is effectively loaned by the shipping company to the carrier (in this case PHAR Ship) for a very short period (usually a single one way trip). During this trip, the carrier is permitted to use the container for movement of domestic cargo. By "cabotaging" these containers, PHAR Ship can therefore offer a substantial discount to both shipping lines and the potential domestic client. This is seen as an area of focus and strategy to boost volumes and profitability.
PHAR Ship regularly offers Cabotage services on it's core exim route between Mumbai and Delhi. In addition, such services are also available on demand for other movements, subject to the availability of adequate domestic traffic volumes. Since PHAR Ship does not posses any 40 ft. Containers in its domestic fleet, all domestic movements in 40 ft. containers is done by cabotaging international 40 ft. containers.