Adjudicatory Board for Major Ports Launches e-Filing Portal in Kochi
The Adjudicatory Board for Major Ports (ABMP) has launched its new e-Filing Portal at the Cochin Port Authority in Kochi, Kerala, on India’s south-west coast along the Arabian Sea. The launch took place on 29 October, and a user manual explaining each step of the system was released at the same time.
The ABMP hears disputes involving India’s major ports. With the new portal, cases can be filed online and managed digitally from start to finish. This is expected to cut physical paperwork, improve transparency and help proceedings move faster. The step forms part of the Digital India programme and the wider move towards paperless government services.
The portal was launched by Justice Ashish J. Desai, Presiding Officer of the Board and a former Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court. Board Members Chirravuri Viswanath and Dr Sanjeev Ranjan joined him, along with Cochin Port Authority Deputy Chairperson Satish Honnakkatte. Port Chairperson Dr M. Angamuthu and department heads took part by video conference.
A digital filing route means port users, terminal operators and other parties no longer need to travel or send bulky paper files to bring a case. It is one more example of India’s port sector adopting online systems to make doing business easier and faster.
Faster and more transparent settlement of port disputes can help keep cargo and ships moving smoothly through India’s major ports, which supports steady work and fewer delays for the crews who call there.
