Dear Friends ,

This thread is meant to highlight all port related developments happening in Cochin .I sincerely appeal all esteemed forumers to contribute generously towards this thread.

List of projects that would transform Cochin into - the Shipping hub of Asia

International Cruise Terminal-cum-Public Plaza
Location

North End of Willingdon Island

Land Area - 6.71 ha.

Brief Details of Facilities

World Class Cruise Terminal for receiving the largest cruise vessel afloat with following Major Project Componets

Modern cruise berth of 220m length;

World-class Cruise Terminal Building;

Shopping Mall-cum-Office Tower;

Five-Star Hotel Complex; and

Kerala Village.


Estimated Cost - Rs. 375 crores

Passenger Capacity - 3,50,000 per annum

Present Status - Scheduled date of commissioning the facility is October 2011.

LNG RE-GASIFICATION TERMINAL

Petronet LNG Ltd. (PLL) will set up a LNG re-gasification terminal with the associated facilities in Cochin Port. The facility is expected to be operational by December 2011



Location Puthuvypeen SEZ area

Land Area 33 ha for storage & re-gasification terminal and 23 ha for marine facilities

Developer Petronet LNG Ltd

Brief Details of Facilities • Marine terminal to receive vessels up to 2,16,000m3 capacity
• Terminal facilities for storage, re-gasification and dispatch of gas.
Capacity 2.5 million TEU (initially) expandable to 5 million tones per annum in future
Investment

Total Investment: Rs. 3200 crores

Present Status • Land development works completed

• Construction of boundary wall and site grading works are in progress

• Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Contract for storage tanks awarded to M/s. IHI, Japan. Further developments on schedule.

Scheduled date of Commissioning 2011


INTERNATIONAL BUNKERING TERMINAL / MULTI-USER LIQUID TERMINAL
International Bunkering Terminal (IBT)
Cochin Port has initiated project planning to develop a multi-user liquid terminal in the Puthuvypeen SEZ area to handling import of bunker fuel, LPG and Crude Oil.The port being located adjacent to the busiest international sea routes is required to meet the increasing demand for supply of bunkers to the vessels plying in the international routes and also those calling at the Port. The Cochinport prposed to create the basic infrastructure of a multi-user liquid terminal and commence the bunkering operations through PPP format.


Location : Puthuvypeen SEZ area



Land Area :26 ha at Puthuvypeen



Brief Details of Proposed Facilities

Marine Terminal to receive vessels upto 1,50,000 DWT
• Terminal facilities for storage of bunkers & other liquid bulk and for providing related services.
• Construction of barge berth for loading bunkers
• Installation of unloading/loading arma at berth.
• Pipe line network
• Fire protection System.

Capacity : 2.0 MTPA initially, expandable to 4.5 MTPA



Investment : Total Investment by the Port: Rs.150 crores


Scheduled date of Commissioning : 2011



PORT BASED SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE

The Cochin Port in the role of the principal developer has commenced the project initiatives to set up the first Port Based Special Economic Zone in India. The Ministry of Commerce, has notified Vallarpadam and Puthuvypeen areas within the port limit as two separate Port Based Special Economic Zones. . The port is currently establishing the infrastructure and amenities for the zone.


Location Vallarpadam & Puthuvypeen

Land Area 401 ha (115.25 ha at Vallarpadam & 285.84 ha at Puthuvypeen)

Developer Cochin Port Trust

Brief details of Projects • Vallarpadam SEZ for handling mainline and feeder container vessels (ICTT).

• Puthuvypeen SEZ for unloading and storage of crude oil, Liquefied Natural Gas and Liquefied Petroleum Gas by M/s. BPCL-Kochi Refinery, M/s. Petronet LNG Ltd. (PLL) and M/s. Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL), respectively.

• Bunkering Terminal / Multi-User Liquid Terminal.

• Distribution Park including Free Trade Warehousing. The Distribution Park can leverage the proximity of ICTT and its direct access to network of National Highways, Railways and National Waterways for the activities of consolidation/distribution of cargo including Free Trade Warehousing.

Investment Total Investment: Rs.7500 crores

Execution Public-Private participation

Time Frame 2011-2012

WILLINGDON ISLAND- NEW PROJECTS


In line with the port development strategies, the important present port activities (crude and container handling) will migrate to the Vallarpadam and Puthuvypeen areas, as these locations provide the optimal boundary conditions for further development. The remaining conventional cargo handling activities (POL, dry bulk, break bulk and other liquid bulk) will be located at Willingdon Island and the present liquid jetties. Willingdon Island and the present liquid berths along Ernakulam Channel will be upgraded to accommodate the remaining conventional cargo handling activities and to meet the future requirements for efficient cargo handling. The facilities are being upgraded through modernization of Mattancherry Berth, Providing new 110 KV Power supply, new trucking terminal and provision addition of new cargo handling equipment.
A Business District at the southern end of Willingdon Island is planned . This will accommodate warehouse and office activities which is expected to enlarge as the area will be a supply chain nodal point of the future.:)

www.alfaventures.com/horizon/loc.htm

The emergence of Kochi port as a transhipment hub for India will become a reality within a year as the construction work for the first phase of the international container transhipment terminal (ICTT) project is progressing rapidly at Vallarpadam.

Vallarpadam, once developed, will make Kochi a key centre in the shipping world, thereby reducing India’s dependence on foreign ports for transshipment. The ICTT project will be the largest single player among the container terminals planned in India and the first to operate in a SEZ. One of the essential requirements of a hub port is that it should be adjacent to the trunk sea trade route for the minimum diversion of mother vessels, so as to reduce unproductive voyage and port time.

Kochi, being adjacent to the trunk sea trade route and linked to the hinterland through a well-developed system of national highways and rail connections, is an ideal location for the development of hub trade.

A visit to the project site revealed that the area is bustling with construction activity. which included piling, soil improvement, sand piling, sheet piling, building work, fabrication of piling gauges, casting of prefab panels, manufacture of paver blocks, and so on. If the present pace pf work is sustained, the first phase of the project is expected to be commissioned on schedule.

Steady pace

Speaking to Business Line at the construction site, Mr Suresh Joseph, General Manager, DP World, Kochi, said that the construction activities that had commenced in January are progressing at the right speed, without any hurdles. “So far we have completed 28 per cent of the work and by December, we expect to reach 45 per cent”, he said. With this pace, he hoped that the first phase of the project would be ready by November 2009.

Simplex Infrastructures Ltd, Kolkata, is the civil contractor engaged by DP World for the work. The project will use close of 9,000 tonnes of steel and 11,000 tonnes of cement. Mr Joseph said that 80 per cent of the steel had arrived at the site.

The ICTT project, which will be set up on 115 hectares of unencumbered land, is proposed to be developed in three phases. Phase IA will be developed with 600 metres of quay and is designed to handle one million TEUs. This phase is expected to cost Rs 1,300 crore and there has been a considerable increase in project costs due to cost escalations, said Mr Joseph.

Later, Phase I B will developed by adding another 300 metres of quay with the capacity to handle additional half a million TEUs. The second phase will have 900 metres of quay and total quay length for the ICTT project would be 1,800 metres, with the capacity to handle 3 million TEUs.

Phase IA of the project will be supported by six Super post-Panamax cranes, 3,500 ground slots (including 450 reefer points), 15 eco RTGs, 5 reach-stackers, etc. The terminal facilities and processes have been designed to accept and service the largest container ships afloat today, such as the Emma Maersk.
Road, rail connectivity

It will also have two rail handling sidings capable of handling 12 trains per day and five km of road. Provisions have also been made to locate a security scanner to screen containers inside the terminal.

A new 8-km electrified rail link with a capacity to carry 15 trains each way will connect Vallarpadam ICTT to the main lines of Southern Railway at Edappally. Likewise, the new 18-km four-lane National Highway provides surface connectivity to NH17 and NH47.

While the first connects to the Konkan region, the latter connects to the growing hinterland in the South, Central and the East.

Apart from this, the development of the coastal highway will provide additional access to the two national highways, thus ensuring 100 per cent road connectivity.

Asked about the exact date on the commissioning of the project, Mr Joseph said that the authorities expect to shift the activities from Willingdon Island from November 1, 2009 provided the infrastructure support, including road and rail connectivity and dredging requirements to berth mother vessels at the terminal, are ready by that time.

"We will be ready by November next year as the Port Chairman has given an assurance that all these facilities will be ready by the time. We are going ahead as per this schedule", he said.

He referred to the proximity to East-West trade routes as the greatest advantage for the Vallarpadam ICTT. It has the shortest deviation from both the Suez and the Middle East routes, compared to any other port in India. Besides saving on steaming time and costs, the proximity saves considerable time and cost for cargoes originating or terminating in the sub-continent.

The containers landed at the terminal will have a multi-modal option to transit to the hinterland. The terminal will have the facility to berth a mainline vessel and a feeder, together with the possibility of hot-seat exchange of boxes. From a feeder, a container could be directly put on to the mainline vessel, or vice-versa. This will result in better transit times for the shipper.

The existing container terminal at Kochi, operated by DP World, has excellent connectivity to the ports on the West coast. Tuticorin provides support on the East coast. Plans are on to connect Haldia, Visakapatnam and Chennai, thereby ensuring holistic coastal support to the India hinterland, he said.

Moreover the development of ICTT at Vallarpadam has seen a flurry of activity in commissioning container freight stations, empty container parks, logistics parks, warehousing and the like, that have never been seen in Kochi till now, Mr Suresh added.


Link :http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/10/27/stories/2008102750370600.htm

DP World's --- India Gateway Terminal @ Cochin http://www.igtpl.com/

http://wikimapia.org/31264/Cochin-Shipyard

May set up small ship division next year.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/11/22/images/2008112251621801.jpg
Naming ceremony: Officials from Greek company Hellespont Steamship Corporation officials and Cochin Shipyard Ltd in front of two platform supply vessels under construction at the shipyard in Kochi. The vessels, being made for the Greek company, were named Hellespont Daring and Hellespont Dawn at a function here on Friday.

Kochi, Nov. 21 The public sector Cochin Shipyard Ltd is in the process of constructing 20 offshore vessels, valued at Rs 3,000 crore, for European and American clients.

The projects being undertaken excludes the indigenous aircraft carrier for the Indian Navy, which is also under construction, Commodore M. Jitendran, Chairman and Managing Director, CSL, said.

He was speaking on the occasion of the naming ceremony of two platform supply vessels for the Greek company Hellespont Steamship Corporation here on Friday.

He said that the yard was able to achieve the highest ever turnover of Rs 967 crore during the year 2007-08.

The profit after tax was also the highest ever in the year at Rs 93.85 crore.

The two platform supply vessels were named as Hellespont Dawn and Hellespont Daring.

The vessels are of the popular UT-755-LN design for the offshore industry.

The vessel is designed for satisfying the specific demands of transport of deck cargo, pipes, liquid cargo, cement, barite and so on and unloading to rigs and production platforms, pipe laying barges etc.

They are the workhorse of the offshore oil field industry, which acts as a lifeline carrying all operational supplies and stores to far-off offshore installations.

As the offshore industry moves to deeper waters, demand for such advanced vessels is expected to rise.

The ships are built and classified under the most stringent rules and regulations and are classed for unnamed engine room and dynamic positioning Grade I.

The vessels also satisfies CLEAN notation of DNV which signifies high standards of environmental safety.

Small ship unit

The CMD also pointed out that the small ship division of the yard, which had received the approval from the Government, is expected to be commissioned next year.

The yard proposes to set up the division for constructing small commercial vessels for international owners.

The facility assumes importance as CSL would have to allocate a major part of its infrastructure to the construction of aircraft carrier in the coming years.

Dry dock

The other proposal under consideration of the yard is a new dry dock to take up repair/upgradation of high-end ships, including large oil rigs and aircraft carriers. The new dock will be larger than the present dock and would help the yard to reach a higher level of growth and also acquire the expertise in niche areas.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/11/22/stories/2008112251621800.htm

Check this link :http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentType=EDITORIAL&programId=1073753761&articleType=Malayalam%20News&contentId=4786988&BV_ID=@@@

Check this link :http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentType=EDITORIAL&programId=1073753761&articleType=Malayalam%20News&contentId=4786988&BV_ID=@@@

Great news

Beautiful Kollam (BK) (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=28413558#post28413558)

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/23/stories/2008112350880300.htm

http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentType=EDITORIAL&programId=1073753761&articleType=Malayalam%20News&contentId=4801550&BV_ID=@@@

Mr Mohammed Sharaf, Chief Executive Officer of DP World, has said that creating a transhipment facility such as international container transhipment terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadam will definitely benefit the growing trade in south India.

Close to 60 per cent of the trade volumes generated out of south India get transhipped on to mainline vessels calling at hub ports such as Colombo and Kochi is strategically placed in terms of geography for quick access to the major trade routes, he said at an interaction with media persons here.

Port location

Mr Sharaf, who was here in connection with a visit to the Indian sub-continent region, said that the emergence of ICTT at Vallarpadam, the first of its scale and kind within in India, will play a key role in making Kochi a strategic port location to the shipping community.

Indian subcontinent region is one of DP World’s strong propellers of growth in the future and the company is committed to making ICTT a key catalyst of future trade in India, he said. Being adjacent to main east-west sea trade route, he said ICTT will assist the shipping world by reducing India’s dependence on foreign ports for transhipment thereby reducing overall costs.

Work on schedule

Mr Sharaf also clarified that there will not be any delay in commissioning of the project on account of the economic slowdown and the construction of the Phase I A (600 metres of quay length being developed) will be completed by end 2009.

The work at the site is going on at a hectic pace to meet the time schedule. Work on the rail connectivity has also commenced where ICTT is going to be connected to the mainland by one of the longest railway bridge tracks.

One of the strong advantages of ICTT will be the basket of multimodal options available to exporters and importers connecting to the transhipment hub when compared to the current scenario where rail/road transportation is not an option, he said.

Some of the major global container shipping lines have shownkeen interest in having their services call at ICTT.

However, he declined to divulge the names of those shipping lines that have agreed to commence their voyage.

The company is also looking at starting supporting business such as container rail service once the Vallarpadam project is fully developed.

He pointed out that there are plans to start train service from Vallarpadam to various ports in the country as part of the company’s long-term strategy.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/bline/2008/11/26/stories/2008112650462000.htm

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/businessline/shipport/kochi.htm

Hey Guys ,

Can anybody post pictures of Cochin Port, Upcoming LNG terminal & the pics of road and rail connectivity to Vallarpadam Island.

The project will be commissioned in time, DP World CEO says

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
‘ICTT will reduce India’s dependence on foreign ports’

Construction of the quay going on at a hectic pace
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kochi: The current economic slowdown experienced worldwide would have no impact or delay the commissioning of the International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadam, said Mohammed Sharaf, CEO of DP World.

Talking to reporters here last night, Mr. Sharaf said the construction of the Phase 1 A, that is development of 600 metres of quay length, would be over by the end of next year.

Terming the ICTT as the major driver of growth in the southern parts of the country, Mr. Sharaf noted that nearly 60 per cent of the trade volumes generated out of the southern regions of the country get transhipped onto mainline vessels calling at hub ports like Colombo. Kochi is in an advantageous position because of its strategic location and is easily accessible to the major trade routes because of the closeness to the International maritime line.

Key role

Mr. Sharaf who was here in connection with a visit to the Indian subcontinent region said that the emergence of the ICTT at Vallarpadam, the first of its scale and kind within in India, would play a key role in making Kochi a strategic port location to the shipping community. Indian subcontinent region is one of DP World’s strong propellers of growth in the future and the company is committed to making the ICTT a key catalyst of future trade in India, he said.

Being adjacent to main east-west sea trade route, he said the ICTT will assist the shipping world by reducing India’s dependence on foreign ports for transhipment thereby reducing overall costs. With major gateways on the west coast becoming crowded, new gateways like the ICTT are much needed to give the trade a service they can rely on.

Rail connectivity

Giving details of the ICTT project, he said that the construction of the quay was going on at a hectic pace to meet the time schedule.

Work on the rail connectivity has also commenced where the ICTT is going to be connected to the mainland by one of the longest railway bridge tracks the country has ever seen. One of the strong advantages of ICTT will be the basket of multimodal options available to exporters and importers connecting to the transhipment hub when compared to the current scenario where rail/road transportation is not an option, he said. Some of the major global container shipping lines have shown a keen interest in having their services call at the ICTT. However, he declined to divulge the names of those shipping lines agreed to commence its voyage. The company is also looking at starting supporting business like container rail service once the Vallarpadam project is fully developed. He pointed out that there are plans to start train service from Vallarpadam to various ports in the country as part of the company’s long term strategy.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/27/stories/2008112760071700.htm

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...port/kochi.htm

Kochi December 05, 2008
Name of the Vessel /Agent /Arrival Berth /Sail Cargo/ Qty
Titan 7 -- 1/12 1/12 -- Logs --
Rising Phoenix -- 2/12 2/12 -- F Oil --
Fuyang -- 3/12 3/12 -- Clinker --
M Ronneby -- 5/12 W -- Boxes --
J Kamla -- 6/12 -- -- Boxes --
J Tara -- 6/12 -- -- Boxes --
Bengal Orchid -- 6/12 -- -- Methanol --
J Manjula -- 6/12 -- -- POL --
Sun Neptune -- 7/12 -- -- Neptune --
Kanivu -- 7/12 -- -- Boxes --
Kinship Prosp -- 8/12 -- -- S Ash --
Diamond Star -- 9/12 -- -- R Phos --
Seabourn Spirit -- 10/12 -- -- PAX --
OEL Trust -- 11/12 -- -- Boxes --
Y Sea -- 12/12 -- -- Zinc Con --
Island Sky -- 12/12 -- -- PAX --
Nautica -- 12/12 -- -- PAX --

Kochi, a commercial and trading hub, located in the south Indian state of Kerala, is increasingly appearing on the radar of real estate investors, occupiers and developers. By possessing an enviable mix of excellent connectivity, solid infrastructure, abundant skilled labour, tourist destinations and low operating costs, Kochi has become one of India’s most dynamic and highly rated Tier III cities. The city’s dynamic economy, strong leadership and regard for the environment bode well for its sustainable growth.

By offering favourable prospects across all real estate sectors and relatively high levels of market transparency, Kochi has increasingly become a favoured destination for those active in the Indian real estate market.

In our Real Estate Market Maturity Index, which scores Tier III cities in India on the basis of real estate market transparency and overall volumes of office, retail and hotel market activity, Kochi tied for first place with Chandigarh, ahead of other well-known cities such as Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Nashik, Nagpur and Mangalore. The new business parks, shopping malls and hotels which dot the Kochi landscape are transforming the city and the lives of its citizens.

We are pleased to share with you our publication from the World Winning Cities research programme: Kochi - India’s Rising Urban Star. The report examines the economy, business environment and real estate market of Kochi and assesses the risks and opportunities in each of the 4 major sectors of the real estate market: offices, retail, hotels and residential

Source:http://propertybytes.indiaproperty.com/?p=3072

http://www.cochinport.com/php/vslShowUsr.php

News dated:Feb 05, 2009


German cruise line to use Kochi as home port

V. Sajeev Kumar

Kochi, Feb. 4 Kochi Port’s efforts to emerge as a most preferred cruise destination in India has received a major boost with the decision taken by AIDA Cruises, Germany, to use Kochi as a turnaround port for the operations of its cruise liner AIDA Cara.
The German cruise company had informed the port about its plans to start operations from Kochi in October and this would involve turnaround of over 2,000 passengers and around 1,000 crew members, senior port officials said.
The company, according to officials, is also considering bringing in two more liners at Kochi for passenger turnaround – AIDA Bella (October 2009 and April 2010) and AIDA Aura (October 2010 and April 2011). It has been informed by the agents of the Line that based on the success of handling AIDA Cara, the port would be regularly used as a port of turnaround of this line. Earlier, this was being done at Colombo.
“This is a positive development and epitomises the faith that has been built among the cruise lines in the excellent cruise-friendly services being offered by the port,” the officials added.

Boost for tourism
Having received home port status, the port officials pointed out that Kerala’s tourism industry would get a quantum boost.
According to officials, the port had received 41 cruise vessels during 2007-08, the highest-ever in India so far. In the current financial year, a total of 38 cruise vessels are scheduled to call at Kochi, of which 24 have visited as on January 15. Besides, 19 cruise lines have confirmed their visits for 2009-10 and nine cruise lines for 2010-2011. More cruise liners would be included in this schedule in the months to come, the officials said.
Recognising the potential for tourism in Kerala, the port has taken a series of proactive initiatives to develop cruise shipping and these included concession in vessel related charges, walk in berthing priority, single window clearance for Customs, immigration etc. These measures have facilitated innovative cruise tourism products such as cruise-fly-cruise and fly-cruise-fly through Kochi.
On a cruise-fly-cruise scheme, the tourists on board tourist ships disembark at Kochi and take flight up to upcountry destinations and return and cruise further to next port. On a fly-cruise-fly product, tourists fly in from abroad and embark on cruise vessels at Kochi and cruise around and return to Kochi and their flight back home. These schemes have the potential to become more popular because the tourists need to spend minimal time for completion of various formalities

HINDU BUSINESSLINE (http://www.blonnet.com/2009/02/05/stories/2009020551501500.htm)

Cochin Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/3192/kochiam126200820917pmrl7.jpg
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/8069/kochiam126200812546pmuc6.jpg
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/1646/kochiam126200812529pmkl9.jpg
http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/8854/kochiam126200820946pmqu1.jpg

Seems RVNL - which is implementing the rail link to Vallarpadam is striving hard to complete this ahead of schedule Cheers!!!!:banana:

Nice!I hope more cruise-liners too visit kochi.these tourists means more to our economy.

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...ow/4087802.cms

:)Kochi: The Small Ships Division being set up at the Cochin Shipyard at an investment of Rs.98 crore is expected to be ready by the third quarter of this year. Once operational, it will have infrastructure facilities such as paint coating shop, fabrication of blocks, ancillary shops, pipe shop and steel preparation facilities, a shipyard spokesperson has said.

The turnover expected from the small ships division is Rs.400 crore when fully utilised.

As part of promoting 'fisheries tourism', Kerala Government has initiated a proposal to set up a rs 350 crore 'Oceanarium' here, the
country's first, to enable a thrilling experience for people and researchers to study marine species, including large ones like whales and sharks, and habitat at a closer level.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ET_Cetera/Indias_first_Oceanarium_to_set_up_in_Kochi/articleshow/4141476.cms

:)Petronet to raise Rs 2,200 cr for captive port project at Kochi

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To get Rs 1,400 cr from SBI, Canara Bank and Punjab National.

New Delhi, March 1 Petronet LNG Ltd (PLL) plans to mobilise Rs 2,200 crore from the domestic and external markets to part-finance its captive port with re-gassification facilities at Kochi.

The total project cost is about Rs 3,195 crore, of which PLL has already spent Rs 400 crore through internal accruals, Mr Amitava Sengupta, Director (Finance & Commercial), PLL, told Business Line.

The construction of the LNG terminal of 2.5 million tonnes a year (mtpa) is in progress and the entire project is expected to be completed by 2011 and commissioned in 2012.

Meanwhile, PLL has already firmed up the lenders who will part-finance the project, he said.

The Cabinet approval on February 23 for the project has given PLL a legal backing that would enable the company to achieve financial closure as well as raise finance, Mr Sengupta said. The Cabinet has allowed PLL to sign the concession agreement with the Kochi port authorities.

“We plan to execute the project with a debt-equity of 70:30. The company has finalised Rs 1,400 crore from lenders such as SBI, Canara Bank, and Punjab National Bank,” Mr Sengupta said.

Foreign funds

As regards accessing funds from the overseas market, he said that Petronet plans to raise close to $300 million.

“Of this, we have already tied up $100 million from a French lender,” he said. The borrowings will have a 13-year tenor with an average maturity period of 7.5-8 years. Subsequent to the Cabinet approval, PLL can now draw down funds from these lenders, said Mr Sengupta.

In fact, GDF International (GDFI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of French national gas company Gaz De France, holds 10 per cent stake in PLL. Apart from the French company, ONGC, GAIL (India), Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and the Asian Development Bank, a member of the World Bank Group, hold stake in the company. The public holding is 34.8 per cent.

On whether the gas source has been firmed up for the project, he said that the company is not restricting itself to one source (Exxon’s share from the Gorgon project), but is exploring other sources as well.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...0251610100.htm

LNG - Pipeline works gonna complete in 3 years . Pipelines are being laid in two directions to Bangalore via Mangalore & to Kayamkulam .GAIL is also planning for a city gas supply facility. This would further position Cochin as the commerce & trade hub of kerala .:banana:http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentType=EDITORIAL&programId=1073753761&articleType=Malayalam%20News&contentId=5314777&BV_ID=@@@

A mega project for Kochi port
Special Correspondent

— Photo: by special arrangement
http://www.hindu.com/2009/05/22/images/2009052250510201.jpg
UNIQUE CARGO: The reactor that will be installed at the BPCL-Kochi Refinery.
KOCHI: The Kochi port has ventured into the new and promising area of project cargo handling with it handling the biggest ever consignment weighing 725 tonnes.
The consignment is a reactor imported by BPCL-Kochi Refinery for its “vacuum gas oil hydro de-sulphurisation” unit. It is intended to ensure Euro III norms mandatory in the production of petroleum products at the refinery situated at Ambalamugal on the city’s outskirts.

Capacity augmentation
The 40-metre-long reactor, with a diameter of 5.3 metres, was built by China Forging Heavy Industries under the supervision of China Petroleum Technical Development Corporation Limited. BPCL-Kochi Refinery will augment its refining capacity by April 2010, which has important implications for the Kochi port too. It would mean more crude oil imports through the port.
The reactor was brought to the port in a general heavy lift carrier type vessel, m.v. Maria, which loaded the consignment from the Chinese port of Dalian. The vessel is equipped with three heavy lift cranes and is the first of its kind to call at the Kochi port. The vessel was berthed at Q3 berth at the Mattancherry wharf and the reactor has been unloaded directly on to a specialised barge for transportation through inland waterways up to Irumpanam and from there by road to the refinery at Ambalamugal.
The Mumbai-based firm MHTC Logistics has been awarded the work of transporting the reactor to the refinery.
Engineers India Ltd., New Delhi, specialising in refinery installations, is supervising the operation. The refinery would need to import 30 to 35 large units of heavy machinery for capacity augmentation. The Kochi port has promised to provide facilities for smooth unloading and transportation of such specialised and delicate project machinery. This new venture has put the Kochi port in the category of harbours specialised in handling such sensitive cargo.


THE HINDU (http://www.hindu.com/2009/05/22/stories/2009052250510200.htm)

NEW DELHI: Gas-hungry power companies in the south can hope for some fresh feeds from Petronet LNG—India’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG)
importer—which has sealed a deal with US energy major ExxonMobil for an annual supply of 1.5 million tonne LNG for its upcoming Kochi terminal in Kerala.

“...an agreement has been reached on intent to supply LNG... (the two companies) would continue working on binding agreements to conclude the purchase and sale in June,” a joint statement released by the two companies said. The 20-year gas supply deal is estimated to be valued at around $6 billion at today’s global prices, according to energy analysts.

Supplies from Exxon’s Gorgon LNG terminal in Australia to Petronet’s 2.5-million-tonne Kochi plant will serve power companies like NTPC, which has been operating its large power plant at Kayamkulam in Kerala at sub-optimal levels for want of gas. Gas-based plants, which form nearly 10% of the total generation capacity, are forced to run at less than 60% of their capacity due to shortage. Incidentally, the deal comes amid crashing global LNG prices—gas is available in the spot markets at around $4 per unit (million British thermal units).

According to trade analysts, though the market is tilted in favour of buyers today given the economic recession, the scene may well be different in 2014. “Both the buyer and seller would have kept that in mind while negotiating the price,” one analyst who asked not to be named said. It is estimated that LNG projects with almost 75 million tonne of capacity have been put on hold after shrinking demand.

Though no price details on the LNG supplies are available—“the commercial details are confidential,” the statement said—it is expected to be benchmarked to the contracts signed with Japanese companies, a person in the know said. Indeed, Japan had bought gas from this field from Chevron, which owns a 50% stake, at a price of around $6 per unit.

“Price details cannot be disclosed..Petronet LNG looks forward to finalising the agreements and moving forward with the LNG infrastructure needed to supply natural gas to consumers in the Kerala region,” Petronet managing director P Dasgupta said.

LNG prices normally have a two part-structure, one of which is fixed while the variable is linked to crude prices. Petronet had struck a similar deal with Rasgas of Qatar for gas supplies to its Dahej terminal, which has now been expanded to a capacity of 10 million tonne.

As per the agreement, ExxonMobil’s subsidiaries Mobil Australia Resources and Mobil Exploration & Producing Australia will supply around 1.5 million tonne of LNG annually, with the potential for more supplies for 20 years.

The Gorgon field has estimated gas reserves of over 40 trillion cubic feet (tcf). The field is being developed by ExxonMobil, Chevron and Royal Dutch Shell. Royal Dutch Shell and ExxonMobil hold 25% each in the field. While Chevron has contracted most of its share to Japan, Royal Dutch Shell may ship its share to its LNG facilities in India or Nigeria, a person in the know said. :)

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News-By-Industry/Energy/Oil--Gas/Petronet-gets-Exxon-LNG--feed-for-its-Kochi-plant/articleshow/4501523.cms

PORT PROFILE

Cochin is the fastest growing maritime gateway to peninsular India. An all-weather natural Port, it is located strategically close to the busiest international sea routes from the Gulf to Singapore and Europe to the Far East circuits. The port is spearheading fast-track maritime and industrial growth in the large geographical spread of it's economically vibrant hinterland. The logistically sensitive port is emerging as the most preferred investment destination for maritime commerce.



FUTURE

LNG Re-gasification Terminal


International Bunkering Terminal

Cochin Port is just 11 nautical miles away from the maritime highway connecting Gulf to the Far East and Australia. Taking advantage of this geo-strategic location of the port, development of an international bunkering terminal is on the anvil.

Port Based Special Economic Zone (SEZ) - Features The Government of India has notified Vallarpadam and Puthuvypeen areas within the port limits as two separate Port Based Special Economic Zones. Several Projects, including Free Trade Warehousing Zones, are expected to come up here.

http://www.ipa.nic.in/cochin_news.htm:)

I believe - Cochin Port comes first among other Indian Ports in terms of proximity with International Shipping route which makes it an ideal bunkering port also.

Does anyone have any information about the proposed port at Munambam?

http://i43.tinypic.com/5lto9c.jpg

Can we expect the similar "service" from trade unions in vallarpadam also? Its not at all a good sign. :ohno:

Can we expect the similar "service" from trade unions in vallarpadam also? Its not at all a good sign. :ohno:

Its most common thing in kerala , we talk , talk , talk and keep talking , but no one dare to act .

Govt shud intervene and take strict action against those who spoil the show for their own hidden agendas... Its a sorry state Kerala>>>

Its most common thing in kerala , we talk , talk , talk and keep talking , but no one dare to act .

Govt shud intervene and take strict action against those who spoil the show for their own hidden agendas... Its a sorry state Kerala>>>

You are right KMC..govt should make a policy, with clear counter measures and emergency responses to such acts from our union workers. This militant unionism is a bane for the entire state.

which newspaper was that sajith?

It was Manorama. If i remember correctly it was around 2-3 months back.

This is the best part of it all.

This would be longest railway bridge in india once commissioned.Delighted to see this 5km bridge once the container terminal is operational.

A 2 month old video report on the activity and buzz w.r.t Vallarpadam. :cheers:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XnER0rKyIE

http://www.livemint.com/2009/06/11231059/Vallarpadam-terminal-set-to-re.html?h=B

Vallarpadam terminal set to redefine maritime trade
======================================

The depth at the trans-shipment terminal, and the latest technology, will allow mega ships to call



Bangalore/Mumbai: A global economy in recession is not the best of times to open India’s first international container trans-shipment terminal (ICTT). But analysts, cargo owners and DP World Ltd, the private operator set to run the terminal at Vallarpadam in Cochin port, say this will redefine how exporters and importers in India, Asia’s third biggest economy, ship goods.
A trans-shipment port, such as those in Colombo, Singapore and Dubai, typically has a depth of at least 16m, allowing big container ships to call at the terminal. Smaller vessels from regional ports use these terminals to load or unload cargo to or from the larger ships onward to the final destination.
Right time: Ganesh Raj, senior vice-president and managing director (Indian subcontinent), DP World. Abhijit Bhatlekar / Mint“It is the right time to open the ICTT,” said Ganesh Raj, senior vice-president and managing director (Indian subcontinent) at DP World. “The global slowdown is a short-term phenomenon in the context of world trade over time. DP World continues to remain confident of the long-term prospects of the container port industry, and, hence, we are building capacity to meet anticipated demand.”
DP World, the world’s fourth biggest container port operator majority owned by the Dubai government, won a 30-year contract in a public auction in 2004 for developing and operating the Vallarpadam terminal, which is close to key international sea trade routes.
It was allowed to operate the existing Rajiv Gandhi container terminal at Cochin port for eight years or till it constructed and shifted operations to Vallarpadam. DP World aims to commission the ICTT by 30 November.
The Rajiv Gandhi terminal handled 260,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in the year to 31 March. A TEU is the standard size of a container and a common measure of capacity in this business.
Because of depth restrictions in the country, big container ships cannot call directly at many of India’s ports. A big portion of the container cargo, originating from or destined for India, hence, are trans-shipped at ports in Colombo, Singapore or Dubai.
As a result, India’s exporters and importers incur extra costs of at least Rs1,000 crore a year on trans-shipment of containers via other ports, according to the shipping ministry.
The depth at the Vallarpadam terminal, together with the latest technology in equipment, will allow mega container ships such as Emma Maersk, which has a capacity of at least 12,500 TEUs, to call for loading and unloading cargo. Emma Maersk is owned by the world’s biggest container shipping firm Maersk Line.
“Larger vessels bring about economies of scale and lower cost of operations for the shipping lines, which then translates into lower freight rates for exporters, importers,” said Shailesh Garg, general manager at the Indian unit of London-based maritime consultancy firm Drewry Shipping Consultants Ltd.

Container freight station to come up in Kochi



http://www.hindu.com/2009/06/11/stories/2009061155050900.htm


NEW DELHI: The Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) and the Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore Ltd. (FACT) will set up a container freight station at Kochi in Kerala.

This was decided at a meeting here between Minister of State for Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution K.V. Thomas, Chairman and Managing Director of CWC B.B. Pattanaik and Chairman and Managing Director of FACT George Sleeba.

The project will start in July-August with the state-of-the-art technology, infrastructure and other facilities. The Rs.60-crore project will help in the economic development of the region and provide jobs to local people. The freight station will be set up on 25 acres of vacant land available with FACT.

Both the companies will present a working model of the project to their respective boards for approval this month.

Cochin shipyard wins productivity award

KOCHI: Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has been awarded, for the second consecutive year, the FACT MKK Nayar Memorial Productivity Award for achieving the highest productivity in the category of large industry.

The CSL had won the award last year for its achievement in 2006-07, and the present award is for its achievement for 2007-08, said a press release.

The award was presented by Minister for Industries Elamaram Karim, and was received by Cmde K. Subramaniam, director (operations) on behalf of the shipyard, here on Tuesday.

The yard has been achieving record financial and physical performance in the past few years. In 2007-08, the yard achieved a production of 175,536 DWT against an installed capacity of 150,000 DWT.

The profit after tax for the year 2007-08 was Rs 93.85 crore as against Rs 58.11 crore for 2006-07.

The CSL could maintain its growth momentum in 2008-09 too and registered a growth of around 40 per cent in turnover as per the provisional results.

At present, the shipyard has 20 ships on order, including the first indigenous aircraft carrier.

The keel of the prestigious aircraft carrier was laid by Defence Minister A.K. Antony on February 28 last.

The shipyard achieved another milestone when it was conferred the “Miniratna” status by the Ministry of Shipping in July 2008.

V08_bKSQ_WY

വല്ലാര്*പാടം ടെര്*മിനല്* വ്യവസായമേഖലയ്*ക്ക്* പ്രതിവര്*ഷം 1,000 കോടിയുടെ നേട്ടമുണ്ടാക്കും

കൊച്ചി: വല്ലാര്*പാടം കണ്ടെയ്*നര്* ട്രാന്*സ്*ഷിപ്പ്*മെന്റ്* ടെര്*മിനല്* നവംബറില്* കമ്മീഷന്* ചെയ്യുന്നതോടെ ഇന്ത്യയിലെ വ്യവസായികള്*ക്ക്* കയറ്റിറക്കുമതി മേഖലയില്* പ്രതിവര്*ഷം 1,000 കോടി രൂപയുടെ നേട്ടമുണ്ടാകുമെന്ന്* ചൂണ്ടിക്കാണിക്കപ്പെടുന്നു.

വിദേശരാജ്യങ്ങളില്* നിന്നുള്ള കൂറ്റന്* കണ്ടെയ്*നര്* കപ്പലുകള്* അടുപ്പിക്കാന്* ഇന്ത്യയിലെ മിക്ക മേജര്* തുറമുഖങ്ങളിലും സൗകര്യമില്ലാത്തതിനാല്*, കണ്ടെയ്*നര്* ട്രാന്*സ്*ഷിപ്പുമെന്റുകള്*ക്കായി കൊളംബോ, സിംഗപ്പൂര്*, ദുബായ്* തുടങ്ങിയ തുറമുഖങ്ങളെയാണ്* ഇന്ത്യ ഇപ്പോള്* ആശ്രയിക്കുന്നത്*.

വല്ലാര്*പാടം പദ്ധതി പൂര്*ത്തിയായാല്* ഈ കപ്പലുകളെല്ലാം കൊച്ചിയിലെത്തും. ഇതുവഴി ട്രാന്*സ്*ഷിപ്പ്*മെന്റ്* ചെലവ്* ഇനത്തില്* തന്നെ ശരാശരി 1,000 കോടി രൂപയുടെ നേട്ടം വ്യവസായ സമൂഹത്തിനുണ്ടാകുമെന്നാണ്* കണക്കുകൂട്ടല്*.

നിലവില്* കൊളംബോയിലും സിംഗപ്പൂരിലും ഇറക്കിയ ശേഷം കണ്ടെയ്*നറുകള്* മറ്റു കപ്പലുകളില്* കയറ്റിയാണ്* ഇന്ത്യന്* തുറമുഖങ്ങളിലേക്ക്* എത്തിക്കുന്നത്*. കൊച്ചിയില്* കൂറ്റന്* കപ്പലുകള്* എത്തുന്നതോടെ പണച്ചെലവ്* മാത്രമല്ല സമയനഷ്*ടവും ഒഴിവാക്കാം. ഇത്* വ്യാവസായിക മേഖലയില്* പുതിയ ഉണര്*വ്* പകരും.

12,500 ടി.ഇ.യു കണ്ടെയ്*നറുകള്* കയറ്റാവുന്ന ലോകത്തിലെ ഏറ്റവും വലിയ ചരക്കുകപ്പലായ 'എമ്മാ മേഴ്*സ്*ക്*' പോലുള്ള പടുകൂറ്റന്* കപ്പലുകള്* വരെ കൊച്ചിയില്* കൊണ്ടുവരാന്* കഴിയുമെന്നാണ്* ദുബായ്*പോര്*ട്ട്* ഇന്റര്*നാഷണലിന്റെ പ്രതീക്ഷ. ഇന്ത്യയിലെ ഒരു തുറമുഖത്തും ഇത്തരം കപ്പലുകള്* ഇതുവരെ അടുപ്പിച്ചിട്ടില്ല. ജലാശയങ്ങളുടെ ആഴം വര്*ധിപ്പിക്കുന്നതുമായി ബന്ധപ്പെട്ട്* നിയന്ത്രണങ്ങളുള്ളതിനാലാണ്* ഇന്ത്യന്* തുറമുഖങ്ങളിലേക്ക്* ഇത്തരം കപ്പലുകളെ അടുപ്പിക്കാനാവാത്തത്*.

കൂറ്റന്* കപ്പലുകള്* നേരിട്ട്*ഇന്ത്യന്* തുറമുഖങ്ങളില്* കടന്നുവരാത്തതിനാല്* ഇന്ത്യന്* വ്യവസായമേഖലയിലെ ഉല്*പാദനച്ചെലവ്* ചൈന പോലുള്ള മറ്റ്* ഏഷ്യന്* രാജ്യങ്ങളേക്കാള്* വളരെ കൂടുതലാണ്*. ഉല്*പാദനച്ചെലവ്* കൂടുന്നത്*വഴി അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര വിപണിയില്* ഇന്ത്യന്* ഉല്*പന്നങ്ങളുടെ വില വര്*ധിക്കുകയാണ്*. ഇത്* ഇന്ത്യന്* വ്യവസായങ്ങളെ ക്ഷീണിപ്പിക്കുന്നതിനു കാരണമാകുന്നുണ്ട്*. ആഗോള വിപണിയില്* പിടിച്ചു നില്*ക്കാനും ക്ലേശിക്കുന്നു. വല്ലാര്*പാടം ടെര്*മിനല്* പൂര്*ത്തിയാകുന്നതോടെ ഇന്ത്യന്* ചരക്കുകള്* മെയിന്*ലൈന്* വെസ്സലുകളില്* (മദര്*ഷിപ്പ്*) കയറ്റി നേരിട്ട്* വിദേശരാജ്യങ്ങളില്* കുറഞ്ഞ സമയത്തിനുള്ളില്* എത്തിക്കാനാവും. ചരക്കുകള്* കുറഞ്ഞ സമയത്തിനുള്ളില്* അധികചെലവില്ലാതെ വിദേശത്തുനിന്ന്* കൊണ്ടുവരാനുമാകും.

തെക്കേ ഇന്ത്യന്* സംസ്ഥാനങ്ങളിലെ തുറമുഖങ്ങള്*ക്കാണ്* വല്ലാര്*പാടം പദ്ധതിയുടെ നേട്ടങ്ങള്* ഉടനെ പ്രയോജനപ്പെടുത്താനാകുക. കേരളം, തമിഴ്*നാട്*, കര്*ണ്ണാടക, ആന്ധ്രാപ്രദേശ്* എന്നീ സംസ്ഥാനങ്ങളുടെ വ്യാവസായിക വളര്*ച്ചയ്*ക്ക്* വല്ലാര്*പാടം പദ്ധതി കരുത്താകും. ട്രാന്*സ്*ഷിപ്പ്*മെന്റ്* ചെലവുകള്* ഗണ്യമായി കുറയുന്നതോടെ ഉല്*പന്നവിലയും കുറയ്*ക്കാനാകും.

കൊളംബോയില്* 2008 ല്* 27 ലക്ഷം കണ്ടെയ്*നറുകളാണ്* കൈകാര്യം ചെയ്*തത്*. ഇതില്* 70 ശതമാനവും ഇന്ത്യന്* തുറമുഖങ്ങളില്* നിന്നുള്ളവയായിരുന്നത്രെ.

അതില്* തന്നെ 60 ശതമാനം തെക്കേ ഇന്ത്യയില്* നിന്നായിരുന്നു. കൊച്ചിയില്* ഇന്റര്*നാഷണല്* ട്രാന്*സ്*ഷിപ്പ്*മെന്റ്* ടെര്*മിനല്* വരുന്നതോടെ ഇതില്* ഭൂരിഭാഗവും വഴിമാറും. കൊളംബോയില്* നിന്ന്* കൊച്ചിയിലേക്ക്* മാറുമ്പോള്* തെക്കേ ഇന്ത്യന്* തുറമുഖങ്ങള്*ക്ക്* ഒരു കണ്ടെയ്*നറില്* 150 ഡോളര്* (ഏതാണ്ട്* 7,000 രൂപ) വരെ ലാഭമുണ്ടാകുമെന്ന്* കണക്കാക്കുന്നതായി ദുബായ്*പോര്*ട്ട്* വേള്*ഡ്* അധികൃതര്* ചൂണ്ടിക്കാട്ടുന്നു. ഇത്* വ്യവസായമേഖലയ്*ക്ക്* താങ്ങാകും. വല്ലാര്*പാടം കണ്ടെയ്*നര്* ട്രാന്*സ്*ഷിപ്പ്*മെന്റ്* ടെര്*മിനല്* ഡിസംബര്* ഒന്നുമുതല്* പ്രവര്*ത്തിച്ചു തുടങ്ങുമെന്നാണ്* പ്രതീക്ഷിക്കുന്നത്*.

വല്ലാര്*പാടത്ത്* ആദ്യഘട്ടത്തില്* പ്രതിവര്*ഷം 10 ലക്ഷം ടി.ഇ.യു. കണ്ടെയ്*നറുകളും രണ്ടാംഘട്ടത്തില്* 25 ലക്ഷം കണ്ടെയ്*നറുകളും പദ്ധതി മുഴുവന്* പൂര്*ത്തിയാകുമ്പോള്* 55 ലക്ഷം കണ്ടെയ്*നറുകളും കൈകാര്യം ചെയ്യാനാകും.:banana:

Kochi scores over Vizhinjam as it already has port infrastructure and local cargo support, apart from bunkering and ship repair facilities and rail and road connectivity.




VALLARPADAM or Vizhinjam — which is the better site for a container transhipment terminal? The question haunts many today. The minor port of Vizhinjam, located about 20 km south of Thiruvanathapuram, it is claimed, has several advantages. These include:


A natural water depth of about 18 to 23 metres within about 3 km from the shore.

Negligible littoral drift necessitating minimal maintenance dredging.

Proximity to the international shipping route, connecting the Persian Gulf, the Far East and Australia.

Control by the State Government (as it would be minor port) and decision-making at the regional level.

Greater autonomy in fixation of tariff as it would not fall under the purview of the Tariff Authority for Major Ports.
The natural depth of 18-23 metres and the negligible littoral drift are indeed clear advantages. The container ship size has been increasing over the last one decade and the largest vessel currently on order is of the capacity of 9,600 TEUs. In 1994, a 4,000-TEU vessel needed a draught of 13m whereas the giant container vessel on order may not require a draft more than 14.5m. The availability of a natural water depth of 18 m in the very close reaches of Vizhinjam will also mean a huge cost on breakwater construction. A very rough estimate of the cost of construction of a breakwater over 3.5 km in such water depths in open sea conditions could come to about Rs 600 crore.

Added to that will be the cost of dredging, landfill, land acquisition cost, and rail and road connectivity which on a rough estimate could come to about Rs 300 crore. In other words, about 50 per cent of the total cost on port construction in Vizhinjam is likely to be spent on creating the infrastructure.

Ideally, such costs are to be borne by the Federal governments as in the case of the transhipment port of Salalah in Oman and the Port of Tanjung Pelepas in Malaysia. The Kerala Government may not to have the financial capability to fund the infrastructure cost of this magnitude.

Since the Centre has already committed itself to the development of a transhipment terminal at Kochi, any financial support from it to the Vizhinjam project is a remote possibility. If the private sector is required to meet all the infrastructure cost of the project, it will have to look for a return on investment by levying a level of service charges that will prove to be much higher compared than that at competing container transhipment terminals of Colombo, Salalah, Dubai, Aden, or Singapore.

Proximity to international shipping route is indeed an advantage for Vizhinjam. But the same advantage can be claimed by Kochi as shipping lines will seek to minimise the deviations to reduce their operational cost.

The controlling authority being the State government and the ease with which decisions could be taken at the regional level are unlikely to enhance the prospects of Vizhinjam. The financial capability of the Kerala Government would suggest that it would not be able to function as an effective public sector partner to support the infrastructure costs associated with the proposed terminal.

The fact of Vizhinjam being a minor port and thereby being outside the jurisdiction of the Tariff Authority for Major Ports may not be of significance as the port authorities will have to endeavour to fix a very competitive rate for their services to sustain itself as a transhipment hub.

About a decade ago, it was thought that ports by virtue of their proximity to international shipping routes and natural water depths could be developed as transhipment hubs. Not so in the 21st century. Many hub ports old and new are now emphasising more on the development of hinterland cargo.

It is relevant to mention here the success story of the Dubai port in the transhipment business. When the state-of-the-art Salalah terminal in Oman opened in 1998 many feared for Dubai's future as Salalah was considered to be more economic and closer to the international shipping lanes.

To avoid becoming a prisoner to transhipment business, Dubai developed a Customs-free port facility to serve the West Asian region that few can rival.

Today, its Jebel Ali free zone and local cargo account for about 50 per cent of its total container handling business — the same proportion as for transhipment cargo; handling 5,152,000 TEUs in 2003 made Dubai the 11th among the top 30 container ports of the world.

The main disadvantage cited against Kochi is the huge cost involved in deepening and widening the existing shipping channel to accommodate large container vessels requiring a draught of 13-14 m and the recurring expenditure to maintain the access channel over about 12 km from the sea.

The port of Hamburg in Germany, the ninth largest in the world in container handling, is located on the Elbe river, about 120 km from the North Sea, and the German Government is actively considering deepening the river to 14.5m to allow the new generation container vessels to access the port.

The Belgian port of Antwerp, the 10th largest, is on the Scheldt river, about 80 km from the North Sea, and the Belgian Government too intends to further deepen the river for passage of larger vessels. Compared to this, the capital and maintenance dredging requirements of Cochin are of a much lower scale.

The fact that the Centre has agreed to meet both the capital dredging and the incremental maintenance dredging costs should help Kochi tide over this disadvantage.

On comparison with Vizhinjam, Kochi scores many plusses. It already has a developed port infrastructure, it has a local cargo support and the potential to develop that cargo base appears bright in view of the likely establishment of a port-based Special Economic Zone, an international bunkering terminal, ship repair facilities, an international cruise terminal, an SBM terminal for the oil refinery, an LNG gasification terminal, rail and road connectivity to be funded by the Centre.

The availability of about 2,000m water frontage with a back up area of 300 acres close by, at Vallarpadam, add to its attraction. Should the traffic justify going in for a very large terminal the outer harbour in Puthu-Vypeen offers immense possibilities.

(The author, a former Acting Chairman, JN Port, Mumbai, and former Chairman, Mormugao Port Trust, Goa, is a Visiting Professor at Manipal Academy of Higher Education. Responses may be sent to drjospaul@rediffmail.com)

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/11/22/stories/2004112200490600.htm

The Container Corporation of India Ltd (Concor) has picked up a 15 per cent stake in India Gateway Terminal Private Ltd, a company floated by Dubai Ports International, to set up and operate the international container transhipment terminal.

CONCOR is presently the biggest container handler in India--- Big boost for Vallarpadom.:banana:

Reply to this has been posted in Vizhinjam forum

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=38603570&postcount=443

Kochi scores over Vizhinjam as it already has port infrastructure and local cargo support, apart from bunkering and ship repair facilities and rail and road connectivity.



(The author, a former Acting Chairman, JN Port, Mumbai, and former Chairman, Mormugao Port Trust, Goa, is a Visiting Professor at Manipal Academy of Higher Education. Responses may be sent to drjospaul@rediffmail.com)

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/11/22/stories/2004112200490600.htm

Cochin Port registers Rs 14.75-crore loss

KOCHI: The Cochin Port suffered a loss of Rs 14.75 crore during 2008-09, according to the annual accounts approved by the Cochin Port Trust Board meeting held on Monday.

There has also been a fall of 3.3 percent in the total cargo throughput.

The financial situation is expected to aggravate further when 354 employees of the port, who are on deputation with the container terminal, return to the port rolls by the end of 2009, after the commissioning of the Vallarpadom International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT). The port handled 15.23 million tonnes of cargo in 2008-09 as against 15.75 million tonnes during the previous year.

The steep fall of Rs 40 crore was expected in the revenue due to the downward revision of tariff rates after the crude oil handling was shifted to Single Point Mooring (SPM).

However, the port expect to come out of the present financial crisis by the end of 2010-11 when quantity of cargo is increased after the commissioning of ICTT and LNG Terminal, said port chairman N Ramachandran.

Ramachandran also said that the port management had been able to limit current year’s loss to Rs 14,75 crore with certain measures and improvement of efficiency in different areas of port operations. The port handled 36 luxury cruise liners in 2008-09.

There is also a fall in the operating profit of the port. In 2008-09 it is Rs 12.94 crore, but during previous years, the operating profit was Rs 38.23 crore.

Like this, the operating expenditure increased to 195.46 crore from Rs 181.20 crore during the previous year.

It is also believed that the frequent strikes at the Cochin Port was also a reason for the loss and this notoriety makes exporters hesitant to send their cargo to Kochi.

Link (http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Cochin+Port+registers+Rs+14.75-crore+loss&artid=XSPpPrKNVUU=&SectionID=9R67TMeNb/w=&MainSectionID=wIcBMLGbUJI=&SectionName=gUhH3Holuas=&SEO=)

Bunkering terminal all set to take off.:banana:

http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentType=EDITORIAL&programId=1073753761&articleType=Malayalam%20News&contentId=5744248&BV_ID=@@@

Kochi Port - Updated

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Investments to the tune of a whopping Rs. 21,000 crores is expected to come in @ Vallarpadom SEZ and adjoining areas .

The land area of Vallarpadom SEZ is 115 Hectares and that of the Energy SEZ @ Puthuvypeen is 285 Hectares.

http://www.mathrubhumi.com/story.php?id=55091

കൊച്ചി: ഇന്ത്യയിലെ പ്രഥമ തുറമുഖാധിഷ്ഠിത പ്രത്യേക സാമ്പത്തികമേഖലകളായ വല്ലാര്*പാടത്തും പുതുവൈപ്പിനിലുമായി പ്രതീക്ഷിക്കുന്നത് 21,000 കോടി രൂപയുടെ നിക്ഷേപമെന്ന് തുറമുഖട്രസ്റ്റ് ചെയര്*മാന്* എന്*. രാമചന്ദ്രന്*. അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര കണ്ടെയ്*നര്* ട്രാന്*സ്ഷിപ്പ്*മെന്റ് ടെര്*മിനല്* സ്ഥാപിക്കുന്ന വല്ലാര്*പാടം സെസ് 115 ഹെക്ടറിലും എനര്*ജി പോര്*ട്ട് ആയി വികസിപ്പിക്കുന്ന പുതുവൈപ്പിന്* സെസ് 285 ഹെക്ടറിലുമാണുള്ളത്. സെസ് സംബന്ധിച്ച കേന്ദ്രസര്*ക്കാര്* അനുമതി 2006 ല്* തന്നെ ലഭിച്ചിരുന്നു.

അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര കണ്ടെയ്*നര്* ട്രാന്*സ്ഷിപ്പ്*മെന്റ് ടെര്*മിനല്*, വിലകുറഞ്ഞ ഇന്ധനമായ എല്*എന്*ജിയുടെ സാമീപ്യം, വൈദ്യുതി ലഭ്യത... ഒപ്പം പ്രത്യേക സാമ്പത്തികമേഖലയുടെ ആനുകൂല്യങ്ങളും. ലോകത്തില്* ഇത്രയും സൗകര്യങ്ങള്* ഒരുമിച്ച് ലഭിക്കുക അപൂര്*വമാണ്. തീരുവഇല്ലാതെ സെസിലേക്ക് ഉത്പന്നങ്ങള്* കൊണ്ടുവരാനും പുറത്തുകൊണ്ടുപോകാനും കഴിയും. അതുകൊണ്ടുതന്നെ ഈ സെസ്സുകളില്* നിക്ഷേപകര്*ക്ക് താല്പര്യമേറെയാണ്.

വല്ലാര്*പാടം പള്ളിയുടെ പടിഞ്ഞാറുഭാഗത്ത് 24 ഹെക്ടര്* സ്ഥലം കൂടി വല്ലാര്*പാടം സെസില്* ഉള്*പ്പെടുത്തുന്നുണ്ട്. ഇതിന് പ്രാഥമിക അനുമതിയായി. ഇത് കൂടി സെസ് ആയി വിജ്ഞാപനം ചെയ്ത് മുന്നോട്ടുപോവാനാണ് പദ്ധതി. വല്ലാര്*പാടം അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര കണ്ടെയ്*നര്* ടെര്*മിനലിനായി ഡിപി വേള്*ഡിന്റെ ഇന്ത്യാഗേറ്റ് വേ ടെര്*മിനലിന് 110 ഹെക്ടര്* സ്ഥലമാണ് നല്*കിയിട്ടുള്ളത്. പുതുതായി എടുക്കുന്ന 24 ഹെക്ടര്* ഭൂമി ഏതൊക്കെ ആവശ്യത്തിന് വിനിയോഗിക്കണമെന്നതിനെക്കുറിച്ച് വിശദമായ പഠനം നടത്താന്* കിറ്റ്*കോയെ ചുമതലപ്പെടുത്തിയിട്ടുള്ളതായി സെസ് ജോയന്റ് ഡയറക്ടര്* ഡോ. സി. ഉണ്ണികൃഷ്ണന്* വിശദീകരിച്ചു. അതിനുശേഷം ഡവലപ്പറെ കണ്ടെത്തും.

വല്ലാര്*പാടത്ത് ബാക്കിയുള്ള അഞ്ചേക്കര്* ഭാവിയിലെ വികസനപ്രവര്*ത്തനങ്ങള്*ക്ക് വിനിയോഗിക്കാനാണ് പദ്ധതി. മൂല്യവര്*ധിത കാര്*ഷികോല്പന്നങ്ങള്*ക്കായി ഈ സ്ഥലം വിനിയോഗിക്കാന്* കഴിയും. 2010 ജനവരി ഒന്നു മുതല്* ആസിയാന്* കരാര്* നടപ്പാവുമ്പോള്* കുരുമുളക് പോലുള്ള ഉല്പന്നങ്ങള്* കുറഞ്ഞ തീരുവയില്* ഇങ്ങോട്ടുകൊണ്ടുവന്ന് മൂല്യവര്*ധിത ഉല്പന്നങ്ങളാക്കി ബ്രാന്*ഡ് ചെയ്ത് തിരിച്ചയക്കാന്* കഴിയും. തേയില, കാപ്പി, കശുവണ്ടി എന്നിവയ്ക്കും ഈ സൗകര്യം ഉപയോഗപ്പെടുത്താം. കാര്*ഷികോല്പന്ന സംസ്*കരണ കേന്ദ്രത്തില്* മികച്ച സാങ്കേതികവിദ്യ ലഭ്യമാക്കിയാല്* കുറഞ്ഞചെലവില്* മൂല്യവര്*ധന നടത്തി പരമാവധി ലാഭം കൈവരിക്കാം. ഇതിനു പുറമെ വെയര്*ഹൗസ്, പുതുവ്യവസായങ്ങള്*ക്കായുള്ള മറ്റൊരു റെയില്*വേസ്റ്റേഷന്* എന്നിവയ്ക്കും ഈസ്ഥലം ഉപയോഗപ്പെടുത്താമെന്ന് ഡോ. ഉണ്ണികൃഷ്ണന്* പറഞ്ഞു.

പുതുവൈപ്പിനിലെ സെസിലാണ് 3750 കോടിയുടെ നിക്ഷേപവുമായി എല്*എന്*ജി ടെര്*മിനല്* വരുന്നത്. 32 ഹെക്ടറിലാണിത്. ഇതിനു പുറമെ ഇവരുടെ തന്നെ പുതിയ പദ്ധതിയായ 1068 മെഗാവാട്ട് ഊര്*ജനിലയത്തിനായി 3250 കോടിയും മുതല്*മുടക്കും. ഇതിനായി 9.55 ഹെക്ടര്* സ്ഥലം കൂടി അലോട്ട് ചെയ്യുന്നുണ്ട്.

മള്*ട്ടി യൂസര്* ലിക്വിഡ് ടെര്*മിനലാണ് (എംയുഎല്*ടി) മറ്റൊരു പ്രധാനപദ്ധതി. കിഴക്കുപടിഞ്ഞാറന്* അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര കപ്പല്* റൂട്ടിനടുത്തുള്ള കൊച്ചിക്ക് സമീപത്തു കൂടി വര്*ഷം 80,000 കപ്പലുകള്* കടന്നുപോവുന്നുണ്ട്. ഇവര്*ക്ക് യാത്രയ്ക്കിടെ ഇന്ധനം നിറക്കാനായാണ് ബങ്കറിങ് ടെര്*മനല്* സ്ഥാപിക്കുന്നത്. സിംഗപ്പൂരില്* നിന്നോ ദുബായില്* നിന്നോവരുന്ന കൂറ്റന്* ചരക്കുകപ്പലുകള്* മുഴുവന്* ഇന്ധനവും നിറയ്ക്കാതെ അത്രയും ചരക്കു കൂടി ഉള്*പ്പെടുത്തി കൊച്ചിയിലടുത്ത് ആവശ്യമായ ഇന്ധനം നിറച്ചാല്* കൂടുതല്* ലാഭക്ഷമത നേടാന്* കഴിയും. ഇതിനാവശ്യമായ മറൈന്* ഡീസല്* കൊച്ചി റിഫൈനറിയില്* നിന്നോ മറ്റേതെങ്കിലും എണ്ണശുദ്ധീകരണ ശാലകളില്* നിന്നോ തേടാവുന്നതാണ്. പുറങ്കടലില്* നങ്കുരമിടുന്ന കപ്പലുകളിലേക്ക് ബാര്*ജുകളില്* ഇന്ധനമെത്തിക്കേണ്ടിവരും.

അഞ്ചു ഹെക്ടറിലായി പണിയുന്ന മള്*ട്ടി യൂസര്* ലിക്വിഡ് ടെര്*മിനലിന് ജെട്ടിയുള്*പ്പെടെ 170 കോടി രൂപയാണ് ചെലവു കണക്കാക്കുന്നത്. പൊതുസ്വകാര്യ പങ്കാളിത്തത്തിലൂടെയുള്ള ഈ പദ്ധതിക്കായി അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര ബിഡിങ് പ്രക്രിയയ്ക്ക് തുടക്കമായി. പുറങ്കടലില്* നിന്ന് വല്ലാര്*പാടത്തേക്കുള്ള ആഴമേറിയ കപ്പല്*ച്ചാലിന് അഭിമുഖമായിട്ടായിരിക്കും മള്*ട്ടിയൂസര്* ലിക്വിഡ് ടെര്*മിനല്* സ്ഥാപിക്കുന്നത്. അതിനാല്* കപ്പലുകളെ സംബന്ധിച്ചിടത്തോളം ചെലവുകുറഞ്ഞ ബര്*ത്തിങ് സൗകര്യമായിരിക്കും ലഭിക്കുക.

മള്*ട്ടി യൂസര്* ടെര്*മിനലാവുമ്പോള്* വലിയ കപ്പലുകള്*ക്ക് പോലും കയറാവുന്ന വിധത്തിലുള്ള കോമണ്* യൂസര്* ടെര്*മിനലായിരിക്കും ഇത്. കപ്പലുകള്*ക്ക് ഇന്ധനം നല്*കുന്നതിനു പുറമെ ഭാവിയില്* കൊച്ചി റിഫൈനറിയെപ്പോലുള്ള കമ്പനികള്*ക്ക് ഇന്ധനം കയറ്റുമതി ചെയ്യാനും ഇറക്കുമതി ചെയ്യാനും ഇത് ഉപയോഗപ്പെടുത്താവുന്നതാണ്.

മള്*ട്ടി യൂസര്* ടെര്*മിനലിനു പിറകിലായിരിക്കും നിര്*ദ്ദിഷ്ട ബങ്കറിങ് ടെര്*മിനല്*. ഇവിടെ നിന്നുള്ള ഇന്ധനവില്പനയ്ക്ക് വാറ്റ് അരശതമാനമായി സംസ്ഥാനബജറ്റില്* കുറച്ചത് പദ്ധതിക്ക് ഗുണം ചെയ്യും. ബങ്കറിങ് ടെര്*മിനലില്* കുത്തകവത്കരണം ഒഴിവാക്കാനായി അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര ബിഡിങ് വഴി രണ്ടോ മൂന്നോ പേരെ ബങ്കര്* സപ്ലയര്*മാരായി നിയോഗിക്കും. ഒരു ബാര്*ജിന് 30 കോടി രൂപ വില കണക്കാക്കിയാല്* തന്നെ ഏതാണ്ട് 100 കോടി യുടെ നിക്ഷേപമാണ് ഇതിനായി വേണ്ടിവരിക. പുറമെ ഇന്ധനടാങ്ക് നിര്*മ്മിക്കുകയും വേണം. ബങ്കറിങ് മേഖലയില്* വര്*ഷങ്ങളായി പരിചയമുള്ള രണ്ടോമൂന്നോ കമ്പനികള്*ക്ക് ബങ്കറിങ് ടെര്*മിനലില്* സോണുകള്* ബിഡിലൂടെ നല്*കും. എണ്ണകമ്പനിയില്* നിന്ന് ഇന്ധനം വാങ്ങി സംഭരിച്ച് പുറംകടലില്* ബര്*ത്ത് ചെയ്ത കപ്പലുകള്*ക്ക് ബാര്*ജില്* എത്തിക്കുകയാണ് ഇവരുടെ ദൗത്യം. ഇവിടേക്കാവശ്യമായ ഇന്ധനം കപ്പലില്* കൊണ്ടുവരാനും ജെട്ടി പ്രയോജനപ്പെടുത്താനാവും.

പുതുവൈപ്പിനില്* തന്നെയാണ് കൊച്ചി റിഫൈനറിയുടെ ക്രൂഡോയില്* സ്വീകരണസംവിധാനമായ സിംഗിള്* പോയിന്റ് മൂറിങ്. ഇതിനായി 70 ഹെക്ടര്* സ്ഥലമാണ് നല്*കിയത്.

15 ഹെക്ടര്* സ്ഥലത്ത് ഇന്ത്യന്* ഓയിലിന്റെ എല്*എന്*ജി ഇറക്കുമതി പ്ലാന്റ് നിര്*മ്മാണം 200 കോടി ചെലവില്* മുന്നേറുകയാണ്. തുടക്കത്തില്* പ്രതിവര്*ഷം 6 ലക്ഷം ടണ്* പാചകവാതകം ഇറക്കുമതിചെയ്ത് കേരളത്തിലെ ക്ഷാമം പരിഹരിക്കുകയാണ് ലക്ഷ്യം.

എല്*എന്*ജി ടെര്*മിനലില്* നിന്നുള്ള വാതകം മീറ്റര്* ചെയ്ത് പൈപ്പ്*ലൈനുകളിലൂടെ കായംകുളത്തേക്കും മംഗലാപുരം, ബാംഗ്ലൂര്* എന്നിവിടങ്ങളിലേക്കും വിടാനായി ഗെയിലിന്റെ ടെര്*മിനല്* സ്ഥാപിക്കേണ്ടിവരും. ഇതിനായി ഒരു ഹെക്ടര്*സ്ഥലമാണ് നീക്കിവെച്ചിരിക്കുന്നത്.

പുതുവൈപ്പിനില്* ബാക്കിയുള്ള സ്ഥലം വല്ലാര്*പാടം ടെര്*മിനല്* കമ്മീഷന്* ചെയ്തശേഷം ലേലത്തിലൂടെ നല്*കാനാണ് പദ്ധതി. ഈ സ്ഥലത്ത് പ്രതീക്ഷിക്കുന്നത് ചുരുങ്ങിയത് 4,000 കോടി രൂപയുടെ നിക്ഷേപമാണ്. ഇന്ധനം, ഊര്*ജ്ജം എന്നിവയുമായി ബന്ധപ്പെട്ടുള്ള വ്യവസായങ്ങള്*ക്കായിരിക്കും മുന്*ഗണന നല്*കുക. വസ്ത്രനിര്*മ്മാണം, ഇലക്*ട്രോണിക് ഹാര്*ഡ്*വെയര്* യൂണിറ്റുകള്*, അസംബ്ലിയൂണിറ്റുകള്* എന്നിവയ്ക്കായി ബഹുനില ഫാക്ടറി ഷെഡുകള്* സ്ഥാപിക്കും. ഇത് ആയിരങ്ങള്*ക്ക് തൊഴിലവസരങ്ങളും സൃഷ്ടിക്കും.

കൊല്ലം, കോട്ടയം ജില്ലകളില്* നിന്നുള്ള കണ്ടെയ്*നറുകള്* എളുപ്പം കൊച്ചിയിലെത്തിക്കാന്* ദേശീയജലപാത -3 ഉപയോഗപ്പെടുത്താനും പദ്ധതിയുണ്ട്. കൊല്ലത്തു നിന്നുള്ള കശുവണ്ടി, കോട്ടയത്തുനിന്നുള്ള റബ്ബര്*, അരൂരില്* നിന്നുള്ള സമുദ്രോല്പന്നങ്ങള്* എന്നിവ ബാര്*ജുവഴി കൊച്ചിയിലെത്തിക്കുമ്പോള്* സ്വീകരിക്കാനായി ബോള്*ഗാട്ടിയിലും വില്ലിങ്ടണ്* ഐലന്റിലുമായി 40 മീറ്റര്* നീളമുള്ള രണ്ട് ജെട്ടികള്* നിര്*മ്മിക്കും.

ഇതിന്റെ പൈലിങ് തുടങ്ങി. 55 മീറ്റര്* വരെ നീളമുള്ള സമുദ്രയാനങ്ങള്*ക്ക് ഇവിടെ നങ്കുരമിടാനാകും. ജെട്ടികള്* പണിയാനായി ഇന്*ലാന്റ് വാട്ടര്*വേ അതോറിട്ടി ഓഫ് ഇന്ത്യ 16.63 കോടി രൂപ അനുവദിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്. വില്ലിങ്ടണ്* ഐലന്റില്* ഇപ്പോള്* തന്നെ കണ്ടെയ്*നര്* ഫ്രൈറ്റ്*സ്റ്റേഷനുണ്ട്. ഇവിടെ നിന്ന് റോ റോ ബാര്*ജില്* കയറ്റി വല്ലാര്*പാടത്തേക്ക് എത്തിക്കാവുന്ന രീതിയിലാവും കണ്ടെയ്*നറുകള്* സംഭരിക്കുക. ജെട്ടികളില്* 50,000 ചതുരശ്ര മീറ്റര്* പാര്*ക്കിങ് യാര്*ഡും ക്രെയിനുകളും സജ്ജീകരിക്കുന്നതാണ്.

കൊല്ലത്തുന ിന്ന് റോഡ് വഴി ഒരു കണ്ടെയ്*നര്* എത്തിക്കാന്* 6,000 രൂപ ചെലവ് വരുമെങ്കില്* ജലപാത വഴി 3,000 രൂപ മതിയാകും. രണ്ടുജെട്ടികള്* വഴി ഇങ്ങനെ പ്രതിവര്*ഷം രണ്ടുലക്ഷം കണ്ടെയ്*നറുകള്* കൈകാര്യം ചെയ്യാനാവുമെന്നാണ് പ്രതീക്ഷ. ഗതാഗതച്ചെലവും ഇന്ധനച്ചെലവും റോഡ് ട്രാഫിക്കും കുറക്കുന്നതോടൊപ്പം അന്തരീക്ഷമലിനീകരണവും തടയാം.

കൊച്ചിയില്* അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര കണ്ടെയ്*നര്* ടെര്*മിനല്* വരുമ്പോള്* കണ്ടെയ്*നറുകളില്* നിന്ന് ഉത്പന്നങ്ങള്* കയറ്റാനും ഇറക്കാനുമായി ഉള്*നാടന്* ജലപാത റൂട്ടില്* നിരവധി കണ്ടെയ്*നര്* ഫ്രൈറ്റ് സ്റ്റേഷനുകള്* നിലവില്* വരുമെന്ന് ഡോ. ഉണ്ണികൃഷ്ണന്* കൂട്ടിച്ചേര്*ത്തു.

Louis Cruises Cyprus heads for Kochi

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Louis Cruises India, a subsidiary of the 12-ship Louis Cruises fleet, has launched operations in India using Kochi in Kerala as its homeport.

The company said in an announcement that the launch of Louis Cruises India is part of its strategy for further expansion of its international operations in new markets, with cruising being a fairly new form of holidaying in the Indian market. Louis Cruises India will operate three-day and one-day cruises to the Maldives and Colombo from December to May 2010 on board the “Aquamarine”, a luxury cruise ship with a carrying capacity of 1,200 passengers currently operating out of Piraeus. Kochi was a natural choice for Louis Cruises India because it has all the characteristics and potential of an emerging cruise hub, as well as government support towards tourism.

“Nearly 60,000 travelers could be expected to embark on their voyage from Kochi. This would bring real economic benefit in addition to generating new jobs for the local community”, explained Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Minister for Home, Vigilance and Tourism in Trivandrum.
Kerala, which was recently voted as the third best Asian holiday destination in a global online poll, saw an increase of 16% and 14% in foreign and domestic tourist arrivals last year.

http://www.financialmirror.com/News/...rld_News/17556

After the commissioning of Vallarpadom & LNG Terminal , Kochi would hold the distinction of the only place in India with three ports .

1. Cochin Port managed by Cochin Port Trust .

2. Vallarpadom International Container Transhipment Terminal managed by DP World.

2. Captive port for LNG Regasification @ Puthuvypeen owned by LNG-Petronet.

Kochi port to optimise container berths usage

The Cochin Port Trust is exploring ways for the optimum usage of the three container terminal berths that will become vacant shortly, following the commissioning of the International Container Transhipment Terminal at Vallarpadam.

The port management has appointed the Indian Ports Association as the consultant to carry out a techno-economic feasibility study to find alternative use for Q-7, Q-8 and Q-9 berths under BOT model at Ernakulam wharf that has to be vacated by the Rajiv Gandhi Container Terminal before the commissioning of the ICTT.

The Board of Trustees, which met here, has accorded sanction to go ahead with the study. With the imminent migration of container operations from the present RGCT to Vallarpadam, substantial resources in berths and storage facilities will be released with these three berths falling vacant.

These berths, with 12.5 metres depth, provide sufficient back-up area equipped with rail sidings and are capable of efficient handling of other types of cargo. The existing general cargo berths at the port provide 10 metres depth, which act as a serious limitation for attracting large parcel size vessels.

Alternative cargoes


Senior port officials said that the vacation of container berths is an opportunity for the port to scout for other types of cargoes such as dry bulk, break bulk etc, which can be efficiently handled at these berths. The good quality back-up area duly developed with rail sidings would suffice for efficient handling, storage and despatches. The objective of the study is to establish the need/business opportunity in developing a suitable cargo handling terminal and assess the technical and financial feasibility of making such investment and its model.

The report is expected to be submitted within two months. The consultant should make a study including market survey, cargo trend and its ways and means of attracting various cargoes from the hinterland, the officials said.

The IPA has conducted similar studies in the recent past for the preparation of feasibility report for Multi User Liquid Terminal at Puthuvypeen SEZ under the Kochi Port.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2009/10/03/stories/2009100350360300.htm

The Cochin Port Trust and the Inland Waterways Authority of India have signed an MoU for operating Ro Ro/Lo Lo (Roll On-Roll Off/ Lift On-Lift Off) barge services for transporting containers between Willingdon and Vallarpadam Islands in the city.

Linking terminals


Modern inland-waterway terminals are being established at Willingdon Island and Bolghatty Island to help link the 11 existing terminals along the Kollam-Kottapuram National Waterway-III, with the new port logistic chain leading to Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT).

The MoU was signed at the administrative office of IWAI in Noida by S. P. Gaur, Chairman, of the agency and N. Ramachandran, the Port’s Chairman. As per the MoU, the port will provide the land required for the jetties and parking yards at the two terminals. The IWAI will finance the construction of the terminals comprising the jetties, parking yards and road connectivity to the terminals.

The modern terminals are designed to cater to both Ro Ro and Lo Lo vessels at the same time to optimise time of operation and enhance transfer capacity of containers between Vallarpadam and Willingdon Islands.

Container cranes


The terminals will be equipped with container cranes to service the Lo-Lo barges. The port would design and construct the jetties, for which the IWAI would give Rs.16.63 crore.

Linking NW III with the Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal will facilitate economical and eco-friendly transportation of goods through the inland waterway terminals.

Safe navigation


The IWAI will maintain adequate depth along the NW III channel for safe navigation of the container barges.

It is expected that two million tonnes of cargo will be moved through NW III in the first year of operation. The project will help reduce road traffic congestion, accidents and pollution.

http://www.hindu.com/2009/10/11/stories/2009101151670300.htm

Six companies, both domestic and foreign, have shown interest in setting up a bunkering terminal at Kochi port, said Cochin Port Trust (CPT) chairman N Ramachandran.

The proposed terminal would come on Puthuvype Island, one of the two special economic zones (SEZs) promoted by the CPT. The first-of its kind terminal would cater to international ships passing through Indian waters.

The CPT recently completed the feasibility study and is on course to meet the 2011 project completion date, he said while declining to reveal the names of the companies.

The terminal will have an initial capacity of million tonnes, which can be increased to three million tonnes. “The port would like to award this project to multiple operators,” said Ramachandran.

The project would be awarded on a design, build, finance, operate and transfer basis for a concession period of 30 years.

It may be noted that the country’s three biggest oil refiners – Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd – have their presence at the port as bunker suppliers.

Ramachandran said international ships were not using Indian ports for refuelling since it was costly in India due to various tax and duties.

However, he said, the state government had reduced value added tax (VAT) on bunker products to 0.5 per cent in mid-August from 12.5 per cent previously, which would give a further boost to the project. Moreover, the port is strategically located to cater to international ships.

According to Ramachandran, every day on an average around 1,000 ships pass through Indian waters to and from Southeast Asia, Far East Asia and Far East from Suez Canal.

“These ships don't have to come to Indian waters or to the port. We will supply the fuel in barges wherever the ship is anchored,” he said. These ships currently buy fuel from Singapore, he noted.


http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/6-firms-evince-interest-in-bunkering-terminal-at-kochi-port/372931/

Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal scheduled to be launched in January 2010. By March 2010, the terminal is likely to go full stream, handling 42 million tonnes of cargo. The project was being developed by Dubai Port World in two phases with the first phase ready for launch while the Phase II would commence immediately after the launch of the terminal. The USD 500 million Vallarpadam terminal had invested USD 250 million for the completion of the first phase. Also, the port has invested INR 890 crore and INR 300 crore to create road and rail connectivity. The container berth will be of 1,800m and have a depth of 14.5m. This would help the trade reduce the need to transship their containers through ports like Colombo, Singapore or Salalah.

The project will launch a series of ventures including the Rs.1,600-crore LNG terminal, the Rs.1,510 crore port-based Special Economic Zone, the Rs.315 crore International Ship Repair complex, the Rs.720 crore single buoy moorings for Kochi Refineries Ltd, the Rs.7000 crore petro chemical complex for Gas Authority of India, an international bunkering terminal, bulk cargo terminals, cruise ship terminals and an international marina.

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

Cochin shipyard set to fly high:banana::banana::banana:

The Union government is likely to reserve part of a planned initial public offering (IPO) in Cochin Shipyard Ltd, India’s biggest shipbuilder under state control, for employees to quell any potential union opposition over the fund-raising plan.

Cochin Shipyard is one among a list of state-run firms identified by the government for an IPO. The yard already has the backing of the shipping ministry to sell shares to fund an expansion plan worth Rs800-1,000 crore.

Money raised through an initial public offering will go to the company and that from a secondary share sale to the government.

Union shipping secretary A.P.V.N. Sarma told workers at Cochin Shipyard on 10 October that a proposal to raise funds through an IPO along with employee stock options (Esops) is being considered by the government.

“The proposal to give stock options is being considered to retain workers and also to soften their opposition to a stake sale,” said N.M. Paramesh, finance director at Cochin Shipyard, confirming the shipping secretary’s statement.

The proposed IPO will test the Manmohan Singh government’s resolve to sell stakes in state-owned firms located in Kerala, a state known for its strong unions and being a communist bastion. The state government is led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPM, which fought against the Congress-led ruling coalition at the Centre in the April-May general election. The CPM and other Left parties have previously opposed plans by the government to sell shares in state-run companies.

The government will piggyback on the IPO to sell its shares in the market, a Union shipping ministry official said. The quantum of the government’s shares to be sold in the IPO will be decided by the cabinet, he said on condition of anonymity.

Money raised through the IPO will go to the company and that from a secondary share sale to the government.

An IPO would make Cochin Shipyard the first state-owned shipbuilder to be listed on the bourses.
Central government-owned firms located in Kerala do not have any significant retail investors.

Kochi-based fertilizer maker, the Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Ltd, or FACT, for instance, is 98.10% owned by the Central government, with the balance held by financial institutions, banks and insurance companies.

Many of Cochin Shipyard’s engineering and design staff have been poached by private shipbuilders, both existing and new ones, as they expanded capacities to cater to demand.

“Quite a few senior staff have left Cochin Shipyard over the past 18 months,” said another executive of the firm. Whether the stock options will be given from the government’s portion of the share sale or from the fresh issue will be decided by the cabinet, this executive said.

Cochin Shipyard has suggested the fresh issue of some 240 million shares with a face value of Rs10 each. “The IPO size will depend on the valuation,” he said.

Last month, Pipavav Shipyard Ltd sold 85.5 million shares at Rs58 each to raise Rs496 crore.

Cochin Shipyard has an order book for constructing 20 ships estimated at a value of Rs5,000 crore. At least half the order value is made up by the Indian Navy’s order for an air defence ship, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier.

The yard is diversifying into building higher-end ships equipped with diesel propulsion. Cochin Shipyard also recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with IHC Holland Merwede BV, the world’s top dredging equipment maker, to jointly bid for projects to build dredgers. “According to the MoU, IHC will share technology with Cochin Shipyard so that we can build dredgers in our yard,” said V. Kala, company secretary and public information officer at Cochin Shipyard.

Dredgers are specialized ships used to deepen and maintain the channels of ports and harbours.

http://www.livemint.com/2009/10/18225851/Cochin-Shipyard-IPO-to-have-st.html?h=A4

With two major cruise liners choosing Cochin Port as their home and turn around port, the Port Trust authorities are gearing up to upgrade the facilities for berthing and clearance for passengers.


The cruise liner of the German company AIDA Cruises, which has chosen Kochi as its turn around port, will reach here on October 28. Cyprus-based Louis Cruise Lines has made Kochi its home port and the cruise liner will start sailing from Kochi on December 1 this year.

As these two companies will be conducting frequent services, the port management has decided to upgrade certain facilities at the port till the proposed exclusive terminal for cruise vessels is completed. The itineraries announced by Louis Cruise Lines include Kochi- Maldives-Kochi, Kochi-Colombo-Kochi and a one-night high sea sailing. It will be conducting three services a week for six months every year.

Aida Cruise will bring its guests from abroad to Kochi to board the cruise liner. And they will fly back to their countries after the cruise comes to a stop here.

Considering the flurry of activity, a permanent structure is being constructed on the space developed near the BTP Berth for the India Stopover of the Volco Ocean Race last year.

“Our plan is to utilise around 1600 sqm space here for baggage terminal, customs and immigration clearance counters and other passenger amenities such as waiting room and resting area,” said a top official of the Cochin Port Trust.

The construction work is in progress and is expected to be completed before the arrival of the first vessel.

“Vessels with a length of less than 200 metres can be docked at BTP Berth. If the vessel is longer, they have to be berthed at Ernakulam wharf as usual,” he said.

http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Busy+days+ahead+for+Cochin+Port&artid=18ckrb0jUVI=&SectionID=9R67TMeNb/w=&MainSectionID=9R67TMeNb/w=&SEO=&SectionName=gUhH3Holuas=#

The development projects envisaged by the Cochin Port Trust will have multiple effects on Kochi's economy as it would enhance tourism potential, promotion of hospitality industry and other allied industries besides creating more job opportunities.

In a presentation Cochin Port Trust – the Engine of Economic Prosperity made at a one-day workshop on the development of the district by the Ernakulam District Residents Association Apex Council (EDRAAC), Mr Cyril C.George, Secretary, Cochin Port Trust, said the development projects worth about Rs 10,000 crore centred on the port are progressing in a time-bound manner.

The first phase of the Rs 2,118-crore International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadam will be commissioned in April and 70 per cent of construction work had been completed. As the Indian port closest to the international maritime route, the Kochi port enjoys the advantage of being strategically located, he said.

At present, 65 per cent of the country's container traffic was being transshipped through ports in neighbouring countries. Once the ICTT project starts operations, he said the country's import and export industry will gain Rs 6,000-12,000 on each container.

LNG terminal

Referring to the proposed LNG terminal, he said major portion of the construction works of the project at Puthuvypeen had been completed. The project entails investment worth about Rs 16,000 crore. Likewise, tenders had also been invited for a bunkering terminal project worth Rs 95crore.
Plans were also afoot to set up an International Cruise Terminal at an estimated cost of Rs 400 crore in the Willingdon Island. Ever since the cruise liner of the German company AIDA cruises had chosen Kochi as its turn-around port, more than 2,000 foreign tourists had passed through the port.



http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/3730324

Marina to be commissioned in May

http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/20/images/2010022060760201.jpg

Photo: H. Vibhu

RESTING PLACE:The marina house coming up on the eastern side of Bolghatty Island in the city.

The country's first full-fledged marina that is getting ready on the eastern side of Bolghatty Island would be commissioned in May.

The Rs. 6-crore facility being built using tourism funds of the Centre and the State would berth 35 yachts in the first phase. It was scheduled for completion last year. A marina house is almost ready on an acre of land owned by the KTDC, while the berthing facility would come up on 1.5 acres in the adjacent backwaters. Even without a marina, 16 yachts from foreign lands are currently anchored across the waterbody. Their number was the highest in 2008, when 40 yachts called at Kochi – the port city in India that is nearest to the international sea route.

The three-storeyed marina house resembles the Dutch palace that was later converted into the Bolghatty Palace Hotel, full with wooden beams, panelling and chandeliers with antique finish. A Customs office would be housed in a room in the building, so that seafarers can directly check into the marina. They now have to wait in the outer sea for a day or two to obtain Customs clearance and other formalities, where many of them are forced to buy goods sold by unscrupulous boatmen.

“The marina house would have 20 double rooms and four suites, some facing the marina and the others the golf course on the western side,” said Jaibee Kollarmalil, the hotel's manager.

A 24-hour coffee shop in the house would serve mainly seafood delicacies, mocktails and cakes. Apart from seafarers, this would attract the young crowd from the city to the locale. It would also house a recreation centre and health club, he said.

The marina would be built using pre-cast concrete blocks that float and would be attached to pillars erected in the water body. They pathway to each yacht would be paved with wood, beneath which would be located standardized cable lines and pipelines. The marina is being built by Gulf Marina, while the KTDC is constructing the building. Amenities would also be readied to do repairs and painting of the yachts. The operations of the marina might be outsourced since the KTDC does not have the expertise in the field.

The sprawling compound around the hotel needs to be spruced up as the biennial Kerala Travel Mart would be held here later this year. A two-lane road is getting ready on the western side of the property.

John L. Paul



The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/20/stories/2010022051960300.htm)

:cheers:

Thanks Krishna for the update .

Kochi would lead the bandwagon for Kerala tourism this decade . It is investing heavily on setting up medical tourism facilities / 18 hole golf course / Marina / Star hotels and it's blessed as being a focal point for proceeding to the three tourism thrishools of Kerala tourism - Beach(Kovalam/Varkala/Alleppey)-Backwater(Kochi/Alleppey/Kottayam)- Highranges(Munnar/Wagamon/Peerumade)

I accidently came across an interesting article on container ships. I think it's relevant here.

http://container50.org.uk/RotterdamBackground.pdf

Inorder to have more container carrying capacity, ships need to increase their length, beam and draft accordingly.

But it's not possible to increase the size too much, beyond certain limit considering various risk factors.

The article mentions that Korean Shipyards are designing ships with more capcity (12000+ TEU) still with limited draft (14.5) so that they'll be able to call at ports like Hamburg.

The advantages include cost benefit of about 29 % for ships of 13000TEU capacity compared to 7500TEU capacity according to Hyundai heavy industries.

That means, Vallarpadom too will be able to handle ships of 12000+ TEU capacity in the future. :cheers:

Thus, Kerala will have two ICTTs in the future which will be able to handle mega container ships.:banana:

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Site earmarked for Port SEZ
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31.03.2010

Hystory unveiled :banana:

First Loco arriving at ICTT Vallarpadom
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31.03.2010

Hystory unveiled :banana:

First Loco arriving at ICTT Vallarpadom
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Proud moments for Kerala :) Nice snaps as well . :)

nice snaps induzcreed. Thanks.

DHL opens new ocean freight terminal in Kochi

http://track.gslb.in.yahoo.com/news/in/track/most_viewed.html?prop=in&type=n&cat=bs&id=/43/20100505/836/tbs-dhl-opens-new-ocean-freight-terminal&sig=op6WCXJe9ixtA2bW2y.y6Q--&ts=1273213540
Kochi, May 5 (IANS)

Leading logistics company DHL Wednesday opened a new ocean freight terminal here and launched weekly direct 'Less than Container Load' (LCL) consolidated services connecting Kochi to Europe, north America and other emerging markets through the gateway in Colombo.
Operated by Danmar Lines, DHL's in-house carrier, the new service from Kochi via Colombo will offer customers services with reduced transit time of up to three days.
With the introduction of this new LCL service, 'we can offer opportunities to our customers to increase their footprint in global commerce,' said Amadou Diallo, chief executive officer, DHL Global Forwarding, South Asia Pacific.
'This fixed direct LCL Consol service connecting Kochi to the rest of the world has further strengthened our ocean freight product to support customers especially in the spices, palm oil and coir business sectors,' said Diallo.


Yahoo News (http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20100505/836/tbs-dhl-opens-new-ocean-freight-terminal_1.html)



DHL launches weekly Cochin-Colombo freight service
http://track.gslb.in.yahoo.com/news/in/track/most_viewed.html?prop=in&type=n&cat=bs&id=/20/20100505/372/tbs-dhl-launches-weekly-cochin-colombo-f&sig=eEti9NcuDecOMB0RnReLng--&ts=1273213704 Wed, May 5 07:34 PM

New Delhi, May 5 (PTI) DHL, a leading logistics company, today announced the launch of its weekly direct freight service from Cochin to Colombo and opening of a new ocean freight terminal in the southern city. "With the timely introduction of this new LCL service, we can offer opportunities to our customers to increase their footprint in global commerce as the world economy picks up," DHL Global Forwarding South Asia Pacific Chief Executive Officer Amadou Diallo said in a statement.
The weekly freight service between Cochin and Colombo, dubbed Less than Container Load (LCL) Consol service, is expected to help the exporters from Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. "This (facility) is in line with our commitment to the Indian logistics industry to provide value-added solutions to customers through constant product innovation and increased efficiency," added DHL Lemuir Logistics India CEO Christoph Remund.


Yahoo News (http://in.news.yahoo.com/20/20100505/372/tbs-dhl-launches-weekly-cochin-colombo-f_1.html)

First set of cranes arrives at Vallarpadom :banana:

One famous critic of Kochi once commented , " Last Nail in the coffin for Vallarpadom" , when things were not moving favourably...
wish I could see him in person.....:lol:




http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentType=EDITORIAL&programId=1073753761&articleType=Malayalam%20News&contentId=7235030&tabId=11&BV_ID=@@@

DP WORLD has revealed it will invest up to US$1 billion into a 13,000-TEU annual capacity terminal on the Indian west coast at Kochi to challenge Colombo's hold over India's trade with Europe and China."Presently, long-haul vessels are unable to stop in India, which forces importers and exporters to spend an extra $150 million a year ferrying goods to and from Colombo, Singapore or Dubai," said Anil Singh, DP World's man in India, told Bloomberg News.

"What we are trying to do is compete in the regional and international market," he said in Mumbai interview. "It will change the logistic pattern of the country."

DP World, controlled by state-owned holding company Dubai World, spent INR13 billion (US$288 million) on the first phase of the new Kochi facility on southern west coast to first handle one million TEU a year.

The rest of the money According to Mr Singh, the rest of the investment will be sunk into building the second phase that is expected to add a further three million TEU in box handling capacity within five years. Container Corp of India Ltd is among three other partners in the terminal venture.

The new terminal is scheduled to open in August when it will be able to accommodate the 13,000-TEU vessels commonly used on Asia-Europe routes.

DP World will pay its share of the investment using its own funds, with Mr Singh dismissing suggestions that Dubai World's massive debt will have an impact on expansion plans.

The Indian government is also dredging Kochi port and building rail links to help boost traffic, Mr Singh said. The government has also agreed to lower port fees that are said to be more than eight times higher than Colombo's for larger ships to attract more traffic.

The report added that Kochi aims to lure large container vessels from Colombo, which currently handles 40 per cent of India's transhipment trade, according to Mr Singh. Indian shippers use the Sri Lankan port because of lower costs, deepwater and looser regulations, said Bloomberg.

DP World handles almost half of India's eight million containers annually that pass through the nation's five ports, and the company intends to pursue further projects and expansion plans in the country, the report added.

I don't understand the need of a golf course at ICTT area, when there is a golf course already functioning at KTDC, Bolgatty :ohno:
I think the land should be used for ICTT's future expansion.

DP WORLD has revealed it will invest up to US$1 billion into a 13,000-TEU annual capacity terminal on the Indian west coast at Kochi to challenge Colombo's hold over India's trade with Europe and China."Presently, long-haul vessels are unable to stop in India, which forces importers and exporters to spend an extra $150 million a year ferrying goods to and from Colombo, Singapore or Dubai," said Anil Singh, DP World's man in India, told Bloomberg News.

"What we are trying to do is compete in the regional and international market," he said in Mumbai interview. "It will change the logistic pattern of the country."

DP World, controlled by state-owned holding company Dubai World, spent INR13 billion (US$288 million) on the first phase of the new Kochi facility on southern west coast to first handle one million TEU a year.

The rest of the money According to Mr Singh, the rest of the investment will be sunk into building the second phase that is expected to add a further three million TEU in box handling capacity within five years. Container Corp of India Ltd is among three other partners in the terminal venture.

The new terminal is scheduled to open in August when it will be able to accommodate the 13,000-TEU vessels commonly used on Asia-Europe routes.

DP World will pay its share of the investment using its own funds, with Mr Singh dismissing suggestions that Dubai World's massive debt will have an impact on expansion plans.

The Indian government is also dredging Kochi port and building rail links to help boost traffic, Mr Singh said. The government has also agreed to lower port fees that are said to be more than eight times higher than Colombo's for larger ships to attract more traffic.

The report added that Kochi aims to lure large container vessels from Colombo, which currently handles 40 per cent of India's transhipment trade, according to Mr Singh. Indian shippers use the Sri Lankan port because of lower costs, deepwater and looser regulations, said Bloomberg.

DP World handles almost half of India's eight million containers annually that pass through the nation's five ports, and the company intends to pursue further projects and expansion plans in the country, the report added.

shoddy reporting as usual... first the article says the port will have an ANNUAL capacity of 13,000 TEUs (which is completely bogus)... and then says it can service ships with capacities as high as 13,000 TEUs. So basically it could service a ship that large and then call it quits for the rest of the year since its annual capacity has been reached!! :nuts:

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KOCHI: Amidst reports of dredging for the Vallarpadam project getting delayed, the Cochin Port Trust on Wednesday decided to engage the port’s grab dredger to speed up the process.

The port has come up with an official explanation that the dredging was affected as the vessel carrying cranes for the purpose could not be brought to the terminal owing to inadequate depth in the basin. The port said the depth could not be achieved owing to the presence of an unexpected hard patch.

The vessel carrying Quay Cranes for the project had arrived at the outer anchorage of the port last Thursday. However, it could not be berthed at the terminal as adequate depth was not available at the basin.

The Cochin Port Trust had engaged Jaisu Shipping Company for capital dredging for deepening and widening of channels and basin areas.

The operational completion of the capital dredging of outer and inner channels have already been completed. Capital dredging in the basin started on May 1, 2010. Over 90 percent of the overall capital dredging has already been completed.

The port had asked the dredging contractor to provide for adequate depths to bring in the vessel carrying the quay cranes. Based on this, the contractor had deployed three dredgers of 14,300 cubic metre capacity. However, the required depth could not be achieved uniformly, owing to the presence of an unexpected hard patch parallel to the jetty with 35-metre width and 300-metre length. The hard patch could not be broken by the suction dredgers.

Following this, a specialised mechanical dredger was brought from Mumbai. The mechanical dredger was deployed since Tuesday for cutting and removing the hard patch. Port sources said that in an effort to expedite the process it has been decided to engage the port’s grab dredger GHD Nehru Satabdi on payment basis.

The arrangement is expected to help speed up the dredging work and facilitate offloading of the quay cranes expeditiously, the port said.

In May, the port had berthed two vessels carrying RTG cranes for the project at the ICTT berth which required lesser draft.

Source (http://expressbuzz.com/cities/kochi/grab-dredger-to-be-deployed-to-speed-up-dredging/185998.html)

Amidst all the fears, speculations, expert comments and worries....here they comes,... the giant quay cranes have arrived and now docked at new ICTT at Vallarpadom

Enjoy !!!:cheers:

sorry for the poor quality pics....
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stay tuned:) good pics will hit your screen soon....

India: Vallarpadam ICTT Nears Completion (http://www.dredgingtoday.com/2010/07/19/india-vallarpadam-ictt-nears-completion/)
http://www.dredgingtoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/ictt.jpg
The countdown to the opening of India’s first dedicated international container transhipment terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadam has begun with the arrival of four state-of-the-art giant gantry cranes.

The four post-Panamax quay cranes, capable of lifting two TEUs at a time, will service customers at the new terminal’s 600-metre quay and 40 hectares of yard. The ZPMC barge, m.v. ZHENHUA, is now at berth and offloading the cranes, after which the commissioning process will begin.

Mr Anil Singh, Senior Vice-President and Managing Director of DP World, Subcontinent, said, “This is an important milestone in the development of our new terminal at Cochin, which we plan to officially open this year. The ICTT will extend the services we offer our customers, helping them to improve efficiency and reduce their supply chain costs.”

The ship-to-shore cranes being commissioned at the ICTT have the capacity to handle 65 tonnes under the spreader. The boom has an outreach of 56 metres, enabling it to serve the largest vessels, carrying 22 containers across the deck, comparable with any modern container terminal in the world. Fitted with numerous safety devices and sensors, the cranes ensure high productivity and safe working conditions.

The four twin-lift quay cranes will be complemented by the 15 rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) ready for operation at the facility.

ICTT is India’s first transhipment terminal, and has the solid support of its partners—DP World and the Cochin Port Trust. The progress at ICTT has quickened over the last two months.

In May, the project achieved two significant milestones—the completion of all 11 bridges on the new highway connectivity and the arrival of 11 latest-technology eco-friendly RTGs that will service the terminal’s 1 million TEU capacity (Phase 1A).

Capital dredging work is due to be completed this month, equipping the terminal with a 14.5-metre draught, giving Cochin the ability to handle some of the largest vessels afloat today.

Kochi port Q1 cargo handling rises 23%

Kochi, July 27

The Cochin Port Trust has registered a growth rate of 23.1 per cent in cargo handling during April-June 2010 compared to the corresponding period last year.

The statistics released by the Indian Ports Association (IPA), which assessed the performance of various Indian ports, pointed out that Kochi has made an increase of 8,26,282 tonnes in its cargo handling compared to the same period last year.

In April-June 2009, the port had handled 36,55,974 tonnes of cargo which increased to 44,82,256 tonnes during the same period in 2010.

According to IPA data, the general growth rate of various ports at the national level is 1.92 per cent.

Container handling

There is also a considerable increase in the number of containers handled at the port.

The number has increased from 72,122 TEUs last year to 84,545 TEUs this year, a growth of 17 per cent.

The port also registered a considerable increase in the handling of liquid cargo, including crude, petrol and lubricants. The cargo handling increased from 24,43,028 tonnes last year to 31,65,504 tonnes this year, an increase of 30 per cent.

The import through the port also increased in the same period. The cement import, which was 7,590 tonnes last year rose to 61,663 tonnes this year.

Imports up

The timber import went up from 8,476 tonnes in April-June 2009 to 12,958 in the same period this year.

Sulphur import declines

However, the traditional import of sulphur, urea for the public sector FACT has shown a declining trend in the quarter whereas construction materials such as timber and cement registered a growth.

The import of sulphur during the first three months of this year is only 27,000 tonnes against 53,000 tonnes in the corresponding period whereas urea import was nil during the period.

The Hindu Businessline (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/07/28/stories/2010072852132000.htm)

The work on the exclusive wharf at the Kochi port for Lakshadweep vessels which will reduce the travel woes of the islanders visiting the city, will start soon, Lakshadweep Collector N. Vasanthkumar has said.

The Lakshadweep Administration has already paid a part of the cost of construction of the Rs. 37.52 crore wharf to the Cochin Port Trust, Mr. Vasanthkumar told The Hindu. The 300-metre wharf with a passenger terminal would have a lot of modern amenities. The work was expected to be over in 18 months.

The passenger terminal has been a dream of the islanders coming to Kochi for medical care, education and shopping.

The wharf will come up close to South Coal Berth at Wellington Island.

Currently, Lakshadweep vessels have no fixed place to berth and need to wait a long time to get the berthing space.

Since there are very little passenger amenities, passengers boarding the ships are put to a lot of hardship.

Following the introduction of security check for the passengers, the woes of the passengers have increased.

Mr. Vasanthkumar said a new 250-seat passenger ship would join the Lakshadweep fleet by end-September. The ship was built at the Colombo dockyard.

The administration had almost finished the formalities for getting two more ships built.

These 200-seat ships would be ready in about three years, he said.

Source:- http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/31/stories/2010083161950300.htm

The formal inauguration of International Container Transshipment Terminal at Vallarpadom will be delayed till end of November, considering the delay in LSG Elections in Kerala. The original formal inauguration was planned in last week of September. As moral code of conduct will be in force from end of September, it won't be possible for a formal function

Hence the ceremony may be extended to end of November, depending upon availability of Prime Minister to officiate the function. PM Manmohan Singh was supposed to open in Sept.

The soft launch of the ICTT will start by end of Sept, as last phase of dredging is going on. Currently works of direct road connectivity is only pending. The first consignment may reach by mid of October, if things goes as per schedule

he prestigious ICTT project, developed by Dubai Port World, is expected to change the face of Kochi. Once operational, the about ` 2,000-crore project is expected to bring in major industrial development to the state.

Currently, the major portion of the Indian container cargo is being transshipped at the ports of Colombo, Singapore, Dubai and Al Salalah. Once the ICTT is commissioned most of the cargo would be transshipped through Vallarpadom. Recently, top officials with the ICTT had decided to drop the vessel-related charges for ships calling at ICTT to match the rates prevailing in rival ports at other countries.

On Thursday, Dubai Port World vicepresident Anil Singh met the Cochin Port Trust Chairman and held discussions about the project.

Thanks

Kochi Port's land will be a Major Luxury tourist belt zone.

Kochi and its suburbs are poised for a big leap in developmental activities in the next couple of years with the commissioning of a slew of port-related projects. To utilise the emerging potential, the Cochin Port Trust expects a boom in tourism and hospitality industries in the wake of the new projects being commissioned.

http://www.dredgingtoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Vallarpadam.gif

The port managementhas chalked out strategies for leasing out its prime land for mega hospitality infrastructure as well as for setting up logistics parks and container freight stations taking advantage of the upcoming Vallarpadam Container Transhipment Terminal.

Mr N. Ramachandran, Chairman, Cochin Port Trust, told that the Port Trust Board, which met recently, has decided to lease out 57.55 acres of prime land at the South End Reclamation area.

The projects to come up there will include five-star hotels, convention centres, offices and commercial complexes, cultural centres and landscaped open spaces. The lease period would be extendable up to 60 years. The site offers a panoramic view of Kochi's backwaters.

Earlier, the public sector KITCO was engaged by the port trust to carry out a study of the land utilisation of this area on which the plan is now based.

Lease period

The Central Government has already accorded permission for leasing out certain pieces of land on upfront premium basis for the first 30 years, with a provision for renewal for another period of 30 years during which period annual rent at the rate approved by the competent authority will prevail. This was done because many potential investors had approached the port trust for lease of the land for a period of 99 years.

Although the Ministry has not agreed to 99-year lease, it is expected that the assurance of an extension by another 30 years will ensure that the investors get an assured lease of at least 60 years.

The port trust expects this offer to attract tremendous response from developers, being probably the most prime location in the Kochi city, he said.

Another interesting development, he said, is that that the port has decided to lease out about 60 acres at Vallarpadam for setting up logistic parks and container freight stations (CFSs). Being located adjacent to the upcoming International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadam, this offer is also likely to attract substantial response from the EXIM trade, shipping companies and CFS operators. Under this scheme, land would be leased for 30 years, on annual lease basis, for development of logistics centres and CFSs.

The port had also invited expressions of interest from reputed infrastructure developers that have experience in development and operations of SEZs, free trade warehousing zones, and industrial clusters in the Vallarpadam SEZ area.

Sources in the warehousing industry pointed out that Kochi and its neighbourhood offer tremendous potential for CFSs in the wake of the city's emergence as an international maritime hub upon commissioning

Vallarpadam terminal

Several private players and government agencies have already come out with plans to set up warehousing facilities in and around Kochi. In the backdrop of the container terminal at Vallarpadam nearing completion, the city would require at least 4-5 warehouses and CFSs in the immediate future, the sources said.

The port trust is also in the process of preparing a master plan for redevelopment of Willingdon Island and creation of a business district at south end of the Island. The port plans to engage a consultant for preparing a master plan with the objective to utilise the land optimally; to provide long-term economic benefits; to make Willingdon Island an accessible public destination with venues offering a range of uses and activities; and to set a standard for excellence and enhance the economic vitality of the port.

The objective of the master plan is to take advantage of proximity of ICTT and use the area in a planned manner so that Kochi becomes an import/export hub for the southern States.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/iw/2010/09/05/stories/2010090550290900.htm

The inordinate delay in completing the capital dredging work for the Vallarpadam ICTT project may lead to the postponement of the soft launch of the project's operations scheduled for later this month by the terminal operator DP World.

Informed sources in the port told Business Line that the terminal operator had made it clear to the port that there is no question of shifting its operations to Vallarpadam from the existing Rajiv Gandhi Container Terminal until the 14.5 metres draught is achieved in the ICTT berth basins.





Considering the slow pace in work, it is now almost sure that the commissioning of the terminal is likely to be delayed further. The ICTT needs a draught of 14.5 metres to handle mother vessels currently calls the transhipment hubs in the region.

The dredging in the channel to 14.5 metres will require a minimum 300,000 cubic metres of silt to be dredged, which is reported to be difficult to complete in a month's time.

The sources cited the instance of port having taken close to two months to achieve 10 metres of draught in the ICTT basins to offload the cranes for the terminal in August.


Source (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/09/07/stories/2010090751571600.htm)

The inordinate delay in completing the capital dredging work for the Vallarpadam ICTT project may lead to the postponement of the soft launch of the project's operations scheduled for later this month by the terminal operator DP World.


The dredging in the channel to 14.5 metres will require a minimum 300,000 cubic metres of silt to be dredged, which is reported to be difficult to complete in a month's time.
Source (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/09/07/stories/2010090751571600.htm)

I think, there is no surprise matter. Two reasons, I believe constitute the main reason for the current delay. Wrong time chosen for final dredging as dredging in monsoon season is like drawing lines in waters. Secondly, there weren't enough dredgers in the city. Most of the them used were smaller ones fit only for smaller dredging operations. There was a need of of larger dredgers especially specialized in hard patch operations, which came only recently. But the time, rains also played havoc.

Anyhow, already its known that the terminal will be commissioned by November. I feel its more better to clear all issues before commencement of operations, rather than solving issues after commencement.

Thanks

Anyhow, already its known that the terminal will be commissioned by November. I feel its more better to clear all issues before commencement of operations, rather than solving issues after commencement.

Thanks

well said.

Vallarpadam: MNCs keen on logistics operations

http://expressbuzz.com/Images/article/2010/10/20/vallarpadam_b.jpg
Several multinational companies have expressed keen interest in the operation of the cargo and logistics centre at Vallarpadom International Container Transshipment Container Terminal (ICTT) considering the proximity of the land for transportation.

Cochin Port Trust (CPT) has invited tenders for the construction of the terminal on 57 acres of land near the ICTT and several multi-national companies have already submitted the proposal for the same. The last for submitting tenders is November 11.

Apart from multinational companies, some Indian companies too will participate in the bid. Government agencies engaged in this business too are in the forefront to compete with the multi-nationals.

The land located very close to the ICTT has direct access to the new highway to Vallarpadam (NH47C), Vallarpadom railway station and Ro-Ro terminal. The land will be leased out for a period of 30 years on annual lease basis.

According to CPT officials, the logistics park will be utilised for CFS activities like stuffing and de-stuffing, customs procedures and clearances, storage, cargo consolidation and segregation, value- adding and other allied activities of container handling.

The LNG re-gasification terminal, promoted by Petronet LNG Ltd, is likely to be operational by December 2011 and the proximity of the transshipment terminal is an advantage for the logistic park.

There is good road connectivity to Kochi city and Munambam road. Inland waterway terminals are ready for starting a Ro-Ro service between Bolghatty and Willingdon Island which can facilitate barge service to hinterland destinations.

The logistic park can enhance the supply chain capabilities of trade/industries in the peninsula. It has been observed that logistic centres in the proximity of major container terminals undertake value-addition activities in the pre-delivery stage so that desired ‘finish’ is achieved by the cargo just before delivery.

Kochi and its neighbourhood offer tremendous potential for CFSs in the wake of the city’s emergence as an international maritime hub with the commissioning of ICTT. Logistics companies are on the lookout for prime locations around the ICTT for setting up of their CFSs.



Express Buzz (http://expressbuzz.com/cities/kochi/vallarpadam-mncs-keen-on-logistics-operations/216501.html)

Can anybody throw some light on the status of RFP's floated by CPT for Vallarpadom SEZ? It seems like a long time for now. Even though a lot of biggies in logistic sector had shown evinced interest to the 2 CPT SEZ projects, off late it looks like sleeping over files. :ohno:

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A view of giant panamax super post cranes at DP World, u/c ICTT Vallarpadom

Pic Courtesy: Gokul

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/9977/dscn0468.jpg

A view of giant panamax super post cranes at DP World, u/c ICTT Vallarpadom

Pic Courtesy: Gokul

Thanks for the post.

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Kochi Marina, Bolgatty Island

Pic Courtesy: Ravi

VICTT commissioning in 3 months, LNGT by 2012
Cabinet Secretary K.M. Chandrasekhar visited the project sites of the International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT), Vallarpadam, and the LNG Terminal at Puthuvypeen on Sunday.

He inspected the facilities from the waterfront and subsequently drove to the project sites to evaluate the progress of work on these projects. Cochin Port Trust (CPT) Chairman N. Ramachandran accompanied Mr. Chandrasekhar and briefed him about the works.

He also briefed him about the various other development and modernisation projects taken up by the CPT.

A press release issued by the CPT said the construction of the terminal structures and rail connectivity was almost complete. Two lanes of the proposed four-lane road connectivity between Kalamassery and Vallarpadam are nearing completion.

Dredging

The dredging work for deepening of channels and the berth front areas is in progress. It is necessary to deepen the berth frontage basin area to 16 metres, for which specialised dredgers are at work.

Although the capital dredging of the channels has been completed, the basin dredging could start only in May last, after completion of the work by Dubai Ports World. The basin dredging suffered some delays for many reasons. Apart from encountering hard material in the basin area, the heavy and prolonged monsoon this year also contributed to the delay. It is expected that this part of the work would be completed in about two months' time. Due to uncertainties involved in capital dredging to 16-metre depth, the port would announce a firm date for commissioning the project only after a few more weeks. Mr Chandrasekhar expressed satisfaction about the progress of work relating to both the ICTT and LNG projects, the release said.
The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/08/stories/2010110855480400.htm)

http://dhanammagazine.com/php/archives_guest_details.php?top=1410

Surya TV also reported that DP World asked 65 Crores compensation for delaying the dredging process.

The Cochin Port Trust has decided to go back to private-public participation for its Rs 200-crore international bunkering terminal where vessels calling at the port or passing that way can fill fuel

Kochi: The Cochin Port Trust has decided to go back to private-public participation for its Rs. 200-crore international bunkering terminal where vessels calling at the port or passing that way can fill fuel.

After a year of toying with the proposal from the Indian Oil Corporation to fund the project, the port has decided to request the five shortlisted companies to provide the financial modes, said P Ramchandran, port chairman.

“The port did consider the IOC business model of funding the project. But the fund would be treated as debt and considering repayment of the fund with interest, the port fears that it will land the port in a debt trap. Since it has been more than a year after IOC was asked to review its model and no favourable decision has been received, the plan has been dropped. The union shipping ministry has been informed of this and since the matter involves security risks, a detailed study of the companies is to begin very soon.

The environment impact assessment is already on,” he said.

Six companies had expressed interest in the project and those shortlisted are Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd, Indian Oil Tanking Infrastructure, Adani Group, Punj Lloyd Ltd and Gammon India Ltd.

It will be a multi-user liquid terminal on 26 hectares at the special economic zone at Puthuvypu, off Kochi. It will be on a design, build, finance, operate and transfer (DBFOT) basis for a period of 30 years.

Initially, the facility would have a capacity of 2 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) which would later be doubled. With the commissioning of the international container transshipment terminal in a few months, there would be a rise in the number of vessels calling at the port. During the last fiscal, the number of vessels that called at the port went up to 1,278 from 1,082 the previous year.

“As it will be strategically located close to international maritime routes, the terminal will be an ideal location even for vessels passing by which can be fuelled using barges from the terminal. With the Kerala government reducing the tax from 12% to 0.5%, a special rate for bunkering from the terminal, it would prove advantageous to the port,” he said. Even ships passing by can use the facility where bunkering would be done with barges.

About the Rs. 3,000-crore international container transshipment terminal, he hoped to complete the work in another two months. “There has been delay in dredging the shipping channel which is expected to be completed soon and hopefully, the ICTT will be commissioned immediately after that,” says Ramachandran whose term gets over in January.

Source (http://www.livemint.com/2007/12/05002003/Kochi-port-gets-new-terminal.html?d=1)

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/11/18/stories/2010111850661100.htm

Beneficiary

According to the note, the relaxation in cabotage is expected to be implemented by this fiscal itself.

The immediate beneficiary of the proposed policy, once implemented, will be the new container terminal at Vallarpadam near Kochi.

^^Good news:)
CPT should start their port SEZ facility for logistics and production units without more delay. Otherwise it will soon become a white elephant.

Any body knows the inaugeration date of VICTT.

Any body knows the inaugeration date of VICTT.

Most prob btw Dec. & Jan...

Awaiting nod for the Cruise Terminal
The cruise terminal-cum-public plaza project at the Cochin Port will come up for consideration of the Appraisal Committee for the Projects Implemented Under Public-Private Participation, on December 3.
The Cochin Port Trust is awaiting the final nod from the Union Ministry of Shipping to invite global tender for the construction of the terminal. The tendering process will start as soon as the government grants permission. “All other preliminary requirements, including land, are ready,” said Cochin Port Trust Chairman N Ramachandran. He also said that the final nod from the Ministry was expected this year itself. The scheduled date of commissioning the terminal is October 2011. The feasibility report and business plan for the project were finalised in March 2008 and transaction advisor was appointed in June 2008. Located at the north end of Willingdon Island, the Rs 375-crore terminal will have an exclusive berth of quay length of 220 metres with an available draft of 10 metre.
The terminal will have a replica of Kerala Village, shopping mall-cum-office tower and luxury hotel in addition to a world-class vessel reception facility. The passenger capacity is 3,50,000 per annum.
The cruise business at the Cochin Port is playing a major role in attracting tourists to Kerala. Despite the global slowdown, 36 cruise vessels called at Kochi in the end of March 2009. After March 11 vessels made their call at Kochi. By hosting 43 cruise ships between April 2007 and March 2008, the Cochin Port had set a new record in handling the largest number of such ships in a year in the country, pushing Mumbai and Goa far behind. There has been a steady growth in the number of cruise vessels coming to Kochi.
In 2002-03, the Port received 11 cruise ships, followed by 18 during 2003-04. While it was 19 during 2004-05, it was 22 during 2005-06. In 2006-07, 38 cruise ships arrived at the Port. The Cochin Port authorities said 38 cruise ships have confirmed their arrival from November 2010 to April 2011.
Express Buzz (http://expressbuzz.com/cities/kochi/awaiting-nod-for-the-big-cruise/225195.html)
11 cruise ships in 2003 to 43 in 2008, now thats a tremendous growth!!!
CPT is bearing the flag of Kochi's progress with CIAL....

Vallarupadam international container terminal by next month
Dated: Friday, November 26, 2010 12:18 hrs IST

Thiruvananthapuram: One of the much awaited development project in Kerala, the Vallarupadam International Container Terminal at Kochi would be functional by next month, a top Union government official said Friday.

Commissioning of Vallarupadam Container terminal would increase the transhipment of containers in Indian ports, which were now being held mostly in the ports of other countries, Union Shipping Secretary K Mohandas said while addressing the 'Kerala Ports and Maritime Business Conclave' here. With an objective to provide impetus to coastal traffic and movement of cargo through inland waterways, Centre was planning to bring out a Coastal Shipping Policy in couple of months time, he said.

'The policy among other things will identify certain legal changes required and additional infrastructure to be put in the Coastal shipping and inlandwater ways sector', Mohandas said. Referring to the significance of ports development in the country, he said a recent study had projected that ports in the country had to handle a cargo to a tune of 2500 million tonnes in 2020.

Majors and minor ports put together now handle nearly 850 million tonnes of cargo, he pointed out. 'So there is a gap between the availability and requirement of facilities in the country in ports', he said adding the ports in the country function with a 91 per cent capacity utilization. This means ships have to wait for long in sea or in ports leading to delay in transaction of business, he said.

Source:http://english.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/contentView.do?contentId=8335316&tabId=1&programId=1080132912&channelId=-1073865030&BV_ID=@@@

http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentId=8631635&tabId=11&contentType=EDITORIAL&BV_ID=@@@

Just happened to saw this report in Manorama. Posting the translated version here

* Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal-Kochi is scheduled to open in 2nd week of Feb 2011, by PM Manmohan Singh. Road and rail connectivity issues will be sorted out within this week and completed by end of this month.

* Central Shipping Ministry announces 10 year shipping agenda for the country

* Special priority status will given to to Kochi, Mumbai, Chennai and Vishakapattanam ports, to raise to International level

* Centre to develop Kochi port to international levels within next 10 years, with an investment of 7000 crores

* Centre wants build two Major Ports (Ports under Central Govt) within 10 years. If State Govt gives a request to consider any state port for upgrading to Major port, Centre may consider

* Centre considers Kollam-Kottapuram National Waterway-3 to be extended to Vizhnjam port, if existing problems can be sorted out

* Centre wants to take Shipping infrastructure in India to go next level. It will invest 5 lakh crore in this sector, out of which a lion's share will go to Kochi and Kerala, under appropriate plans

All informations was made by Union Shipping Minister- Vasan while address reporters.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Great news for Kerala. I wish, Kerala Govt must immedidate act by requesting either Vizhinjam port or Beypore port to consider for National Major Port, which will make Kerala, the biggest maritime state in India and global logistics power-house.

Let more good news continue to pour in for Kochi and Kerala. Good going Kerala:banana::banana::banana:

The International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadam is expected to be commissioned before February 18. Sources at Cochin port confirmed that the Prime Minister was likely to launch the terminal between February 11 and 18 but clearance from the PMO is awaited for the exact date. It is now certain that operations at the terminal will commence during the third week of February.

The terminal is close to becoming operational after a delay of almost two years as the commencement of operations was originally scheduled for April 2009.

Port sources said the commissioning should not be delayed further as Kerala would go for Assembly polls before this May. A delay now would mean it could be launched only after the elections, thanks to the Election Commission's model code of conduct. The top brass of the port, especially the chairman, is keen to have the ICTT commissioned before February 18. The election schedule is likely to be announced by March.
Meanwhile, there is serious concern over the completion of dredging at the basin of the new terminal. Port officials told Business Standard that dredging of 450 metre of the berth would be finished by the end of this month.

The port has to provide an average draft of 14.5 metre for a quay length of 600 metre. But this would not be possible by the end of this month. The operational schedule of dredging is that, for initial operations, 450m would be enough and the additional 150 metre could be provided later. It is the inordinate delay in the dredging that lagged the commissioning at least for six months. Rail connectivity and two-lane exclusive container road will be operational before mid-February.

N Ramachandran will continue as the chairman of the port till the commissioning of the terminal. http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/v/padam-ictt-set-to-open-before-feb-18/422177/

Kochi port shows positive growth
(http://www.portworld.com/news/i99627/Kochi_port_shows_positive_growth)

Kochi port has emerged as the fastest growing port in the country, according to local media reports.

Figures recorded during the period between April and December 2010, against the corresponding period in 2009, indicate that traffic handled at the port grew at close to 10%.

The figures released by the Indian Ports Association (IPA) stated that the traffic handled at Kochi grew at 9.82%, whereas most other major ports' average grew at 1.1%.

Container traffic at Kochi also registered an increase of 11.7%, with the port handling 2,045,090 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) during the period against 2,019,430 TEUs in the same period in 2009.

http://i.pmcdn.net/z/img/99627_8054_2_s.jpg

N. Ramachandran, Chairman of Kochi port, stated that the increase in traffic growth was mainly due to a rise in POL products handling, and the commencement of cement handling by Gujarat Ambuja.

The company handled a throughput of more than 150,000 tonnes of cement during the period, he said.

According to G. Krishna Kumar, Deputy Chairman, the current traffic growth in Kochi is due to the capacity expansion of BPCL-Kochi Refinery, and also container handling at Rajiv Gandhi Container Terminal after it was taken over by DP World.

According to port authorities, once the new container terminal at Vallarpadam becomes operational, there should be substantial increase in container handling.

With the commissioning of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal next year, the port is expected to handle a minimum of 40 million tonnes of the commodity within the next 3-4 years.

Krishna Kumar added that by 2017-18, the port is projected to be able to handle a throughput of 60 million tonnes, making it one of the top five ports in the country on a throughput basis.

I was in Kochi with family and I saw this impressive project when I took my family on a boat cruise. I was impressed with what I saw in Kochi. I think Vizag, Kochi and Chennai will be the top 3 big ports in South India.

After a glorious 85 years of legacy, the Cochin Port is going to close down its Willingdon operations by end of this month, as the port is shifting to Vallarapadam by first week of next month.

The modern Port of Cochin was commissioned in May 26th, 1926 by Government of British India in the Kingdom of Kochi under orders of British Viceroy Lord Willingdon. Feb 11th may see the closure of Kochi Port.

I feel, it may be an emotional matters for Kochinites seeing their favourite Willingdon Island, now going to be idle, after 8 decades of busy life.

Ignoring the demands raised by the trade unions, the Cochin Port Trust authorities reiterated their stand that the operation of the Rajiv Gandhi Container Terminal (RGCT) will have to be suspended once the Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) is commissioned. The ICTT is expected to be commissioned by the second week of February.
The trade unions at the Port allege that the move to suspend the operation was illegal and against the interests of the labourers. The trade unions demand that the operation of the terminal should be retained to handle ships carrying coastal cargo, combi vessels and defence vessels.

“RGCT should be retained as there is scope to develop it as a dedicated cargo terminal in view of the recent growth witnessed in the industrial and agricultural sectors in the country. Twenty-five to 30 percent of the containers handled at RGCT are coastal cargo,” union leaders said.
The Port Trust authorities said legally they were not entitled to operate the terminal. “As per the provisions in the agreement with DP World, the Cochin Port cannot operate RGCT till ICTT achieves a handling of 2.5 million TEUs containers. This may take at least five years,” said CPT secretary Cyril George.

The Dubai Port World took over the operations of RGCT in March 2004. The India Gateway Terminal Pvt Ltd (IGT), a subsidiary of the DP World which operates the terminal, is a special purpose vehicle with the Container Corporation of India (CONCOR), Chakiat Group and Transworld Shipping as stakeholders.

The Port had also handed over the ownership of all heavy duty equipment, except two quay cranes, at the terminal to IGT. “Almost all equipment at the terminal are old and it is not financially viable for the Port to acquire them back. The issue of two quay cranes will be settled later,” Cyril George said. He also said the allegations that labourers would lose jobs were baseless. “All the labourers of the Cochin Port will be protected,” he said. http://expressbuzz.com/cities/kochi/container-terminal-operations-may-be-suspended/241361.html

The port is not being shifted. Only the container terminal is moving. The rest of the port operations, like bulk cargo, oil, fertilizer, coal etc stays.

Vallarpadam International Container Trans-shipment Terminal - Final Touches
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First electric engine passing through the Vallarpadam Rail bridge

The largest container trans-shipment facility in the country is getting its final touches. Road & Rail connectivity is completed. Container terminal yard and office building is open.

As per reports, PM Dr. Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the project on Feb 11. Cochin Port Trust, terminal operator DP world, Rail builder Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd. and Road builder NHAI are all getting ready for the grand inauguration the state was long waiting for.

Lotus Shipping is going ahead with the Roll On - Roll Off (RO-RO) facility which will help to transport the container trucks from Willingdon Island to Bolghatty Island.

Cochin Port Trust
Dredging process along the 400-450m of the berth is going on. 16m draft will be acquired by Feb 1st week informed CPT officials.

Dubai Ports World
Terminal operations will commence in Feb 1st week itself according to DP world management. Feb 8th is the possible date of first ship arrival. The 16m draft along 350m of the berth has been assured. But the first ship to reach the terminal has not been finalized. Operation of mother vessels is also not confirmed. CPT will confirm on the draft on the basin area in 2-3 days, after which decision on mother vessels will be taken.

Road Connectivity
2-lane connectivity has been completed. 4-lane construction in progress. Toll to be collected on the new road will be notified soon. The 8.5km of the 17km road will be 4-laned by march. Rest of the 4-laning will be delayed as the stretch which was sand filled has still not attained strength.

Rail Connectivity
The new 8.86km electrified rail route from Edappally to Vallarpadam is completed. The bridge built for the rail connectivity is the country's longest.

RO-RO service
The RO_RO facility intended to ease the container traffic will commence operation in February. The container trucks will be carried from Willingdon island to the Bolghatty island through ferry, so that they do not need pass through heavy traffic at Vytilla - Edappally - Kalamassery - Cheranalloor to vallarpadom which is 38km long. Whereas, the trucks can be carried to Bolghatty which is near to VICTT within 30minutes once it reaches willingdon wharf.

Lotus Shipping, contractors for the RO-RO serice will use double-end ferry brought from Singapore.
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Double-end ferry used for RO-RO service
Source: Manorama

VICTT Inauguration tomorrow
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Source: Manorama

Court: retain port terminal for 3 months
The High Court on Wednesday directed the Central government and the Cochin Port Trust (CPT) authorities to retain the Rajiv Gandhi container terminal at Willingdon Island for three months for handling domestic cargo, instead of the earlier proposal to shift it to the Vallarpadam terminal.

Undertaking

Justice P.N. Ravindran also recorded an undertaking of the trade unions representing the striking workers that they were withdrawing the strike. The court said that in order to bring the striking employees back to the negotiating table, the Rajiv Gandhi container terminal should be retained at Willingdon Island as an interim measure.

The counsel for the trade unions also submitted that the workers would go back to the negotiating table if the terminal was retained at Willingdon Island. The court also directed that the Union government, Kerala government and the Port authorities to address the concern expressed by the trade unions over the loss of jobs of 1,000 workers, in consultation with India Gateway Terminal Private Ltd.

The unions feared that workers would lose job once the terminal was shifted to Vallarpadam.

The court gave the directives while disposing of a writ petition filed by the Seafood Exporters Association of India, Mangala Seafood Exim Private Ltd. and Kitex Garments Ltd.

The association also sought a directive to the Cochin Port Trust authorities to immediately dispatch the 129 containers of marine/sea food products that were lying in the dock due to the strike by a section of the employees of the Steamer Agents Association and United Stevedores Association.

The petitioners pointed out that the workers went on a strike without notice and the strike had brought to a halt the functioning of the terminal.

The goods sent to the terminal still remained at the port.

As many as 129 containers of seafood worth Rs.39 crore could not be sent to various destinations owing to the strike.

Despatch of goods

The court observed that once the operation of the terminal recommenced, the CPT could take steps to ensure that the goods in the port were dispatched.
The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/10/stories/2011021053880900.htm)

Is this an order? If so, the existing agreement with DP world has to be challenged right?

VICTT Inauguration tomorrow
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/2966/1picturesdk.jpg
Source: Manorama

All the newspapers have published the same photo in today's editions. Which road is that? It seems that an ROB is urgently required for that road.

^^ The picture is taken from the ROB under construction. :)

^^ The picture is taken from the ROB under construction. :)

Thank you for the clarification induzcreed :)

How valarpadam container terminal can generate 60,000 jobs?? i think the total employees may not exceed 1000.. it can bring some shipping companies also.. but 60,000 is very high .. ryt??
Any body know the right reason??

Vallarpadam Container Tran-shipment Terminal Dedicated to Nation :applause::applause::applause::bow::bow::bow::cheers1::cheers1::cheers1::cheer::cheer::cheer::nocrook::nocrook::nocrook:
http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/6398/vallarpadamcontainerter.jpg
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Friday dedicated to the nation the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) in Kerala. It's the largest single-operator container terminal in the country.

Manmohan Singh, launching the Rs.3,250 crore first phase of the project in Vallarpadam off the Kochi coast, said it is a symbol of the government's commitment to Kerala's development.

"This is also a symbol of the how private public partnership can be a commitment to the public good. Also this is a symbol of cooperation with our West Asian neighbours," said Singh.

He said it would will give a major boost to reducing the cost of exports and imports.

"Through this Kochi is all set become as an attractive investment area not only for Kerala but for the country and also this could well be the start of more investment from UAE where a large number of our diaspora work," said Manmohan Singh.

The new terminal is expected to become a transhipment hub that and country will no longer have to rely on ports like Colombo, Dubai and Singapore. Thanks to the terminal, the cost of freight of a container is expected to come down by $300 and the transshipment time by almost 10 days.

The total number of containers handled in the first phase would be one million and would touch four million containers annually when fully operational.

The terminal has been developed on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis by the Dubai Port World (DPW), which won a global tender after quoting a gross revenue share of 33.3 percent to the Cochin Port Trust (CPT).

Rs.1,650 crore has come from the central government while the DPW invested Rs.1,600 crore. The BOT is for 30 years.

Manmohan Singh had laid the foundation stone for the project in February 2005.

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan Friday used his speech to demand more from the central government.

"The proposed Kochi Metro is awaiting clearance from the centre and during the previous UPA government we were given a coach factory which was to come up in Palakkad, but it has still not materialised. We have done what we have to do and we wish these projects are cleared," said Achuthanandan.

Deputy Chairman of Dubai Executive Council Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum was also present on the occasion.

Manorama (http://www.manoramanews.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/mmtvContentView.do?BV_ID=@@@&tabId=14&programId=1186580&contentId=8794935)
Manglorean (http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=221741)

Landmark Day for Kerala!! :cheers:

A mammoth task achieved
http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/11/images/2011021155350501.jpg
MAIDEN CALL: The first vessel OEL Dubai that called at the
Vallarpadam International Container Transhipment Terminal

Building the road and rail connectivity and capital dredging were the key ingredients that went into establishing the first container transhipment terminal in the country.

The National Highway connectivity project was undertaken by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and involved building a four-lane road with a route length of 17.2 km between Kalamassery and Vallarpadam.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the project in April 2007 for an estimated cost of Rs. 557 crore, which was later revised to Rs. 872 crore.

The contract for construction of road and bridges was awarded in May 2007 and the construction work started during August 2007.

The connectivity comprises a fly-over along NH 47 near Kalamassery, 11 major bridges and a minor bridge across the Vembanad backwaters linking the various islands contiguous to Vallarpadam.

Cochin Port Trust was entrusted with the work of handing over of 6.70 km of land by dredging the backwaters and forming an embankment along the backwaters. The work was completed by the Port in August 2009.

There was some delay in land acquisition owing largely to opposition from people who were affected by the project near Moolampilly area.

There were also several court cases related to rehabilitation and payment of adequate compensation, which delayed completion of the acquisition procedures.

Acquisition of land (a total area of 46.36 ha) was completed in July 2008 and the total amount of compensation paid is Rs. 85.18 crore.

Though the targeted four-lane connectivity could not be completed so far, two-lane national highway link was completed in October 2010 and works on the additional two lanes are in progress. The project is expected to be completed by December 2013.

The rail connectivity project was taken by the special purpose vehicle Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL).

The rail link project involved building an 8.86-km rail link between Edapally and Vallarpadam Island.

The project was sanctioned in March 2007 at an estimated cost of Rs. 245.67 crore and a revised cost estimate for Rs. 298.17 crore was approved in December 2009.

A second revision of the cost was made and the estimate cost was raised to Rs. 395.05 crore.

Construction works

The construction activities commenced in March 2007. The connectivity comprised three major bridges, including India's longest rail bridge (4.62 km), and several smaller bridges.

The longest railway bridge in the country was built in two years and equalled building 190 metres of bridge per month or 6.3 metres of bridge every day.

This was an enviable record considering the fact that about 80 per cent of this bridge was built in the backwaters.

This bridge is constructed over pile foundations at 133 locations.

The height of the bridge is about 7.5 m above the ground level after the entry and the exit points and this allows water channel movement and road crossings at Mulavukad and Chittoor.

A total of 231 girders, each girder weighing 220 tonnes, were cast at Vallarpadam and transported to the location using motorised trolleys.

The bridge took 18,000 tonnes of steel, 50,000 tonnes of cement and is founded over piles totalling to about 64,000 m for the complete bridge.

Capital dredging for deepening and widening of the approach channel and berth basin of International ICTT to provide a draft of 14.5 m at Vallarpadam was a major challenge.

As per the conditions in the licence agreement, Cochin Port Trust is obliged to provide deeper and wider navigational channels to cater to the requirement of 8000+TEU container vessels.
The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/11/stories/2011021155350500.htm)

First vessel berths at Vallarpadam
The first vessel berthed at the Vallarpadam International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) on Thursday. The Panama flag vessel, OEL Dubai, arrived from Colombo at the new facility due for inauguration on Friday by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The vessel, which arrived here with more than 500 containers, will head back to Colombo.

Meanwhile, the Special Economic Zone administration facility was ceremonially opened at the Vallarpadam International Container Transhipment Terminal jointly by the Chairman of Cochin Port Trust N. Ramachandran and the Development Commissioner of Vallarpadam Special Economic Zone C. J. Mathew. Rama Mathew, Commissioner of Customs; K.K. Krishnadas, Chief Executive Officer, DP World, Cochin; Suresh Joseph, former General Manager, DP World, Cochin; D. Shyamala, Commandant, CISF and P. Nandakumar, General Manager, Container Corporation of India Limited were also present at the inauguration, said an official statement here on Thursday.

The International Container Transhipment Terminal at Vallarpadam, to be formally dedicated to the nation on Friday, is the first port-based Special Economic Zone in the country marking the beginning of a new era in cargo handling, the official statement added. It is also unique in being the first transhipment terminal operating in a Special Economic Zone under the SEZ Act, 2005.It is committed to a paradigm shift in cargo handling and seamless movement of goods. It is also indicative of the flexibility offered by the Special Economic Zone scheme in the country.
The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/11/stories/2011021164330300.htm)

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/multimedia/dynamic/00426/ICTT_426621f.jpg
An aerial view of the International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadam, Kochi. (file photo)
Source: The Hindu Business Line

India Gateway Terminal (http://www.igtpl.com/) - DP World Cochin - Vallarpadam
http://www.igtpl.com/images/images/b86904f96e411a8d280.jpg

http://www.igtpl.com/images/images/b86904f96e411a8d274.jpg

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http://www.igtpl.com/images/images/b86904f96e411a8d273.jpg

http://www.igtpl.com/images/images/b86904f96e411a8d272.jpg

http://www.igtpl.com/images/images/b86904f96e411a8d271.jpg

http://www.igtpl.com/images/images/b86904f96e411a8d270.jpg

IGTPL (http://www.igtpl.com/)

Historical!!!

Historical!!!

Great Great.... Hope projects like Vallarpadam will fuel our state's growth

QDJ98drR-5o

My best wishes for Kochi and its growth:banana::banana::banana:

http://www.igtpl.com/images/images/b86904f96e411a8d280.jpg

The opening of India's first transshipment hub at Kochi on Friday will allow large ships and vessels to berth, refuel, offload and upload cargo, before taking off to different destination across the world. With Kochi being on the international sea-route, the hub will help in improving traffic

significantly, especially those who are moving from East Asia to Europe.
The entire cargos which are getting offloaded or uploaded at the neighbouring transshipment hub in Colombo will now be possible in India.

"This will save cost and time substantially in transportation of containers related to export and import, as the entire business India had to conduct at Colombo hub, would now take place here," said secretary, ministry of shipping, K Mohandas.

A transshipment hub is the zone from where shipment of goods or containers takes place to an intermediate destination, and then from there to yet another destination.

The hub at Kochi is a public private partnership (PPP) project, in which the private promoter Dubai-based DP World has invested Rs 1,200 crore in the first phase and the government Rs 1551.4 crore for building road, rail and dredging. In the second phase, DP World will invest another Rs 2,118 crore.

Once the Kochi hub gets operational, it will handle 1 million TEU container ships per year in the first phase.

TEU refers to the capacity of container ships and 1 TEU is equal to 20-feet equivalent unit container. The capacity will be enhanced to 3 million TEU.

The hub also has container freight station and a feeder service to other ports.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Kochi-to-get-India-s-first-transshipment-hub-facility-for-big-ships/Article1-660873.aspx


http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/multimedia/dynamic/00426/ICTT_426621f.jpg

It is very rarely that a Prime Minister in India gets an opportunity to commision the big budget and India's first International Container Transshipment Terminal in Vallarpadam that was inaugurated by himself in 2005. The chance was bagged by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. A proud moment for Kerala, the project was flagged off in a glittering ceremony that was attended by Chief Minister of Kerala, V S Achutanandan; Defence Minister A K Antony; Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi; Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways C P Joshi; Union Shipping Minister G K Vasan; Union Minister of State for Home Mullapaly Ramachandran, Union Minister of State for Agriculture K V Thomas; Union Minister of State for Power K C Venugopal; Governor R S Gawai and the Chairman of Cochin Port Trust N Ramachandran as well.

Buzz up!

"With the building of this terminal, our exporters can now access mainline containers vessel calling at one of the most well-located ports of India," Prime Minister said on the occasion. The first phase of the Rs 3,200 crore terminal under the Cochin Port expansion project will mark a considerable decrease in expenses during import-export.


The first-of-its-kind terminal was built by the Dubai Ports World at a cost of Rs 1,600 crore. The terminal has a capacity of 1 million TEUs (twenty foot equivalent units) of cargo per annum. Another Rs 1,700 crore was spent in parallel infrastructure like road and rail connectivity to the terminal.

"The ICTT in Vallarpadam is thus a long-awaited milestone in the development of a country's logistic infrastructure. Today, about 60 per cent of India's exports and imports containers are transshipped through ports like Singapore and Colombo. This transshipment through ports outside the country involves an additional expenditure of USD 300 per container and an extra 7-10 days of transit time,” Manmohan Singh said.

He also lauded the public-private partnership in the project and hoped that the new addition would mean more investments to the state.
http://news.oneindia.in/2011/02/11/vallarpadam-terminal-inaugurated-in-kochi-kerala-aid0113.html


Created by nature, visited by international travellers and administered by successive colonial powers through centuries, the Port of Kochi (erstwhile Cochin) has a very long and chequered history of growth and evolution.

From being the Queen of the Arabian Sea to becoming the maritime gateway of India, it has been years of evolution for the port, the origin of which goes back to 1341 AD. During that year, a catastrophe struck the famous Muziris (modern day Kodungalloor) port in the form of a great flood, which silted up the harbour, making it impossible for vessels to berth. This marked the beginning of the story of the Kochi Port.

Prior to that, a small river flowed by Cochin with an opening into the sea. The waves of the flood that silted up Muziris, amplified the opening in Cochin and converted the harbour into one of the finest and safest ports in India. According to historians, the name Cochin must have been derived from the word Kocchazhi, which roughly translates as ‘small harbour,' to distinguishing it from Cranganore/Muziris/Kodungalloor, which was situated 22 miles north and was once a busy maritime hub.

Trade through Cochin started to flourish when Vasco da Gama discovered the potential of export of the spices of Kerala. The advent of the colonial traders from Portugal, Holland and England saw the Port of Cochin gaining in status.

In its second stage of growth, the port came under the sway of Sir Robert Bristow, the harbour engineer specially deputed to Cochin.

He was the architect of the present modern port, which was developed during 1920-1940. Sir Robert was responsible for the daring engineering feat of cutting across the rock-like barrier of sand and silt at the mouth of the harbour to open up the present port located on Willingdon Island (reclaimed from the backwaters using dredged-up soil).

An approach channel, 450-foot-wide and 31.2-mile-long was also cut connecting the port with the open sea. By 1930-31, the port was formally thrown open to vessels with up to 30 ft. draft.

Cochin was declared a major port on August 1, 1936 by the government of India and during 1939, the Mattancherry wharf was commissioned. The harbour administration was taken over by the government of India and Sir Robert was appointed as the first administrative officer of the port.

The administration of the port was vested in the hands of a Port Trust Board on February 29, 1964 under the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963.

Cochin Port today is indeed the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea' as prophesied by the then Diwan of Cochin Sir R. K. Shanmugham Chetty, who coined that expression more than 50 years ago.

From a mere roadstead until the beginning of this century, the Port of Cochin has undergone dramatic changes and now stands as a modern port with all equipment and facilities to match the challenges of the new century.

With its strategic location on the crossroads of the East-West maritime highway, the port is a natural gateway to the vast industrial and agricultural produce markets of south-west India. With the commissioning of the various projects under implementation, the Port of Cochin is bound to grow and transform itself into the transhipment hub of India.

The hinterland of Kochi Port includes the whole of Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. A study carried out on the traffic flow in the hinterland of the port indicates that about 97 per cent of the total volume of traffic is accounted for by the State of Kerala.

The hinterland of the port has further spread over to different areas with the growth of containerisation in the country and establishment of Inland Container Depots at different load centres in India. Kochi, with its proximity to the international sea route, can attract a large number of container lines offering immense sailing opportunities.

An indication of the coming growth of Kochi is evident in the progress the port has made over the recent decades.


When containerisation commenced at Kochi in 1974-75, the port handled a total of just 1,544 TUEs of cargo from 24 vessels.

By 1979-80, container movement went past the 10,000 TEU mark and by 1991-92, container throughput touched 52,144 TEUs from 253 vessels. During the last financial year, container throughput at Kochi grew to nearly three lakh TEUs. A total number of 389 container vessels were serviced at the port during the period.

The total cargo throughput too has seen such dramatic changes over the decades starting in 1936-37. In the first year of its operations, the port handled a total of 7.52 lakh tonnes of cargo. Cargo throughput went past the one million-tonne-mark in 1943-44.

The port achieved the two-million-tonne mark in cargo throughput during 1960-61. During 1977-78, the port went past the five-million-tonne mark in cargo throughput. The growth has continued for Kochi. During the current financial year Kochi Port handled a total of 1,47,30,807 tonnes of cargo between April 2010 and January 2011.

http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/11/stories/2011021151460200.htm

All set for Kerala to become India's biggest logistics state.......:banana::banana:

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/multimedia/dynamic/00426/ICTT_426621f.jpg
An aerial view of the International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadam, Kochi. (file photo)
Source: The Hindu Business Line

The single most pivotal development in the history of Kerala's growth. Kudos to all who worked towards the fulfillment of this dream project. :cheers:

VICTT will be the best Terminal in South India
DP World chairman told, VICTT will be made the best terminal in terms of Technology & Efficiency in South India. When the dredging is completed in march, huge vessels carrying 10,000 containers can be berthed.

Vallarpadam will provide international standards and the Turn Around Time for vessels shall be among the least. Vallarpadam could be made the best terminal in the world, said DP World CEO, Muhammad Sharaf

വല്ലാര്പാടത്തെ ദക്ഷിണേന്ത്യയിലെ മികച്ച തുറമുഖമാക്കും -സുല്ത്താന് സുലായെം

കൊച്ചി: വെള്ളിയാഴ്ച പ്രധാനമന്ത്രി മന്മോഹന് സിങ് രാഷ്ട്രത്തിനു സമര്പ്പിച്ച വല്ലാര്പാടം കണ്ടെയ്നര് ടെര്മിനലിനെ സാങ്കേതിക വിദ്യയിലും സേവനത്തിന്റെ കാര്യത്തിലും കാര്യക്ഷമതയിലും ദക്ഷിണേന്ത്യയിലെ ഏറ്റവും മികച്ച തുറമുഖമാക്കി മാറ്റുമെന്ന് ഡിപി വേള്ഡ് ചെയര്മാന് സുല്ത്താന് അഹമ്മദ് ബിന് സുലായെം പത്രസമ്മേളനത്തില് പറഞ്ഞു. മാര്ച്ചില് മണ്ണുമാന്തല് പൂര്ത്തിയാവുന്നതോടെ 10,000 കണ്ടെയ്നറുകള് വഹിക്കുന്ന ഭീമന് കപ്പലുകള്ക്ക് തുറമുഖത്തേക്ക് കടന്നുവരാനാവുമെന്ന് അദ്ദേഹം ആത്മവിശ്വാസം പ്രകടിപ്പിച്ചു.

വല്ലാര്പാടം അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര നിലവാരമുള്ള തുറമുഖമായിരിക്കുമെന്ന് ഡിപി വേള്ഡിന്റെ ഇന്ത്യ ഉപഭൂഖണ്ഡ സീനിയര് വൈസ് പ്രസിഡന്റും മാനേജിങ് ഡയറക്ടറുമായ അനില് സിങ് വ്യക്തമാക്കി. കപ്പലുകള് കണ്ടെയ്നര് ഇറക്കി തിരിച്ചുപോകാനെടുക്കുന്ന ടേണ് എറൗണ്ട് ടൈം ഈ മേഖലയിലെ ഏറ്റവും കുറഞ്ഞതായിരിക്കും.

അഞ്ചുവര്ഷമായി രാജീവ് ഗാന്ധി കണ്ടെയ്നര് ടെര്മിനലിന്റെ പ്രവര്ത്തനം ഏറ്റെടുത്ത ഡിപി വേള്ഡ് വല്ലാര്പാടത്തെ ആധുനിക ടെര്മിനലിലേക്ക് മാറുകയാണ്. പഴയ ടെര്മിനലില് നിന്ന് വല്ലാര്പാടത്തേക്ക് പൂര്ണമായി മാറാന് അല്പസമയം വേണ്ടിവരുമെന്ന് അദ്ദേഹം കൂട്ടിച്ചേര്ത്തു.350 മീറ്റര് ബെര്ത്ത് സജ്ജമായതായും ബാക്കി രണ്ട്-രണ്ടര മാസത്തിനകം 14.5 മീറ്റര് ആഴം കൈവരിക്കാനാകുമെന്നും പോര്ട്ട് ട്രസ്റ്റ് ചെയര്മാന് എന്. രാമചന്ദ്രന് പറഞ്ഞു. 2.6 കോടി ക്യുബിക് മീറ്റര് മണ്ണും ചെളിയുമാണ് ബേസിനില് നിന്നു മാറ്റേണ്ടിയിരുന്നത്. ഇതില് 2.48 കോടി ക്യുബിക് മീറ്റര് ഇതിനകം നീക്കിയിട്ടുണ്ട്.

ലോകത്തിലെ ഏറ്റവും മികച്ച തുറമുഖമാകാന് എല്ലാ സാധ്യതയുമുള്ളതാണ് വല്ലാര്പാടമെന്ന് ഡിപി വേള്ഡ് ചീഫ് എക്സിക്യൂട്ടീവ് ഓഫീസര് മൊഹമ്മദ് ഷറഫ് പറഞ്ഞു.
Mathrubhumi (http://www.mathrubhumi.com/business/news_articles/story-158295.html)

4 lane road connectivity to VICTT U/C
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Source: kochigallan

4 lane road connectivity to VICTT U/C

Source: kochigallan

Historic develepment vallarpadom
This bypass will surely overtake aroor - edapally , lots of development will come along this stretch with medcity coming in .... what a view

i would say this stretch would go a long way, even taking on the Marine drive:cheers:

From the pic. it seems the road cuts across the backwaters.almost dividing it into two.wernt there any enviormnetlists who raised their voice againt this?

From the pic. it seems the road cuts across the backwaters.almost dividing it into two.wernt there any enviormnetlists who raised their voice againt this?

Some part of the highway was obtained by reclaiming from the backwaters, but there isn't any divide or flow restriction as 12 bridges are being constructed in the stretch.

Some part of the highway was obtained by reclaiming from the backwaters, but there isn't any divide or flow restriction as 12 bridges are being constructed in the stretch.

You are right. More over the technical designs also incorporates environmental engineering before the final drawing takes shape. It is very crucial and have its own impacts in a transport-transit system.

Environmentalists are more interested in projects launched with considerable fanfare and media coverage.

The new highway cuts down the travel time from Kalamassery to Marine Drive to a mere ten minutes from the usual 45 minutes. Only thing missing is a flyover where this road cuts the NH 17 (new NH 85) at Cheranallur.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5259/5434378650_e3c530153f.jpg
Courtesy: Cochinsquare

Animation video of VICTT rail connectivity

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KOCHI: Exactly a week after the inauguration of the terminal, cargo from the first container vessel was handled at the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT), Vallarpadam.


Though the container vessel OEL Dubai had reached Kochi the day before the commissioning of the ICTT, it had to wait at the Rajiv Gandhi Container Terminal since the workers were on strike. The vessel, has been conducting feeder service between Kochi and Colombo. Over 500 containers were unloaded while 250 were loaded. Though the vessel berthed at Vallarpadam on Thursday night, unloading work began after 12 midnight .

As the workers of the United Steamer Agents Pool were on strike, the handling work was carried out by the labourers deployed by the agencies which have been awarded the work on contract-basis, K K Krishnadas, CEO, DPWorld Cochin, said.

Now that the Division Bench of the High Court has stayed a Single Judge’s order that the RGCT should be operated for the next three months, the vessels which were waiting in the outer channel can move to the ICTT. The vessels, carrying both coastal and export cargo were waiting in the outer channel due to the uncertainty regarding where they were to be berthed. The inordinate delay in solving the issue had created serious concern among the business community also.

Meanwhile, the Trade Union Coordination Committee which launched the strike demanding retention of the operation of the RGCT, said it would go on with the agitation. “The stay order on the Single Judge’s order is unfortunate,” Charles George, convener of the coordination committee, said.

Source: http://expressbuzz.com/cities/kochi/first-cargo-handled-at-vallarpadam-ictt/249447.html

Operations at ICTT returning to normality

Staff Reporter
Backlog at Rajiv Gandhi terminal also being cleared
Photo: Special Arrangement
http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/20/images/2011022064170501.jpg
IN FULL SWING:Containers being unloaded from OEL Trust and Ronneby, the second and third vessels to call at the International Container Transshipment Terminal. —
KOCHI: Operations at the newly-opened International Container Transshipment Terminal on Vallarpadam Island is expected to achieve normality by Sunday, when two more vessels with nearly a 1,000 containers anchor at the terminal .

Backlog at the Rajiv Gandhi Container Terminal (RGCT) on Willingdon Island caused by a week-long strike by private sector workers under Trade Union Coordination Committee is also being cleared, sources said here on Saturday.

A total of 150 containers, which remained at the RGCT at the end of the strike, were being cleared on Saturday, they added.

These containers were being picked up by OEL Dubai, the first container ship that called at the ICTT and which had a load of 563 containers. The second and third vessels to call at the ICTT —OEL Trust and Ronneby of Maersk, were now being serviced at the ICTT. These vessels had 563 and 311 containers respectively.

Caraval Pride and Seaways Venture with 574 and 400 containers respectively are expected to anchor on Sunday.

Operations at the Terminal, opened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on February 11, had come under some cloud following a strike by private sector workers, who had disputed the shifting of bulk operations to the new terminal and also raised the issue of lower wages at the new site and potential job losses.

However, a stay on an order to maintain the operations of the Rajiv Gandhi Container Terminal for three more months by the High Court of Kerala has eased the situation and removed a lot of confusion. Services at the terminal were affected because there was some confusion of servicing of vessels that arrived with both coastal and transshipment cargo.

The situation has also eased out with the workers, who were protesting against the new working conditions, being offered a new settlement and an assurance that they would be sufficiently compensated, sources here said.
The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/20/stories/2011022064170500.htm)

ICTT operation in full swing
http://expressbuzz.com/Images/article/2011/2/20/1-ICTT.jpg

Following the court directive that two ports - the Rajiv Gandhi Container Terminal and the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadam - cannot function simultaneously, the first transshipment terminal in the country started operation in full swing on Saturday.
For the first time, all the four cranes of the ICTT were used for loading and unloading containers from two vessels.
The two vessels, OEL Trust and OEL Maersk Ronneby, which were waiting off Kochi for the last several days owing to the port strike, berthed at the ICTT on Saturday.
DP World CEO Krishnadas told Express that the two vessels had been berthed at the port. “Four cranes were used for loading and unloading. It is expected that both the vessels can leave the port on Sunday morning,” he said.
It is pointed out that one crane can make 32 movements in an hour and the four cranes when operated simultaneously were able to shift around 120 containers in an hour.
Both the vessels have around 1,500 containers and operations are going on to unload them at the ICTT. At the same time, the containers which are waiting here are also being loaded, he said.
Cochin Steamer Agents Association president Santhosh Kumar said that around 2,000 containers would be unloaded from the three vessels in two days. The containers which are to be shipped from the Cochin Port will be cleared before Monday.OEL Dubai, the vessel berthed at the ICTT, is loading containers from the Rajiv Gandhi Terminal and it is also expected to leave the port on Sunday morning.
Two other vessels, Caravel Pride and Sea Ways Venture, will reach the port on Sunday with 574 and 400 containers respectively.
Indian Express (http://expressbuzz.com/cities/kochi/ictt-operation-in-full-swing/249678.html)

Get, set, RO-RO (http://expressbuzz.com/cities/kochi/get-set-ro-ro/250760.html)

KOCHI: The trial run of the Roll-on Roll-off (RO-RO) was done from the old boat jetty on Willingdon Island and Bolghatty Island on Wednesday with the double-ended ferry of the LOTS Shipping Company covering the distance in about 20 minutes.

Cochin Port Trust chairman Paul Antony, Customs Commissioner Rema Mathew, Kerala Shipping Inland Navigational Company chairman Rear Admiral B R C Menon, CISF Chief Commandant S N Singh, LOTS director and former Goa Shipping Chairman Jose Paul were present on the ferry from Willingdon Island to Bolghatty jetty.

“The seven-year-old vessel, Sakra Transporter from Singapore, has an advantage of having double-ends and doesn’t need to turn at the jetty. You can drive in from one end and get off at the other end. The driver has to just turn to the other side and drive out,” said chief executive Renjith.

RO-RO ships are ferries designed to carry wheeled cargo such as automobiles, trucks, semi-trailer trucks and trailers.

The vessel can carry 11 trailers with containers of 40 feet at a time or 22 vehicles with containers of 20 feet. “We are waiting for the Port strike to end so that we can start the services,” said K P Joseph, general manager, LOTS Shipping Ltd.

The advantage of a RO-RO service is that the consignment which would need to cover 38 km on the road needs to travel only 3.7 km on water by RO-RO taking the huge cargo to ICTT at Vallarpadam.

The RO-RO service between Willingdon Island and Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal will facilitate the transportation of the containers on barges.

Now vehicles coming to the Cochin Port with containers through the existing roads to the port will be transported to the Vallarpadam Terminal on barges. According to Port officials, this facility will reduce the transportation cost and time. It is expected that 10 percent of the movement of containers will be exclusively to and from South Kerala. This service will reduce traffic congestion and delay in the clearance of containers.

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http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/3272/mothership.jpg

Manorama print edition of today

Two motherships visited ICCT Vallarpadom. 30453 dwt Marie Delmas and 23,596 dwt Conti Asia.

With initial apprehensions regarding strikes and rates almost cleared, the operations of the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) seem to be falling in line.
Mediumsized mainline vessels have started calling in at the ICTT. DP World, operators of the terminal, are expecting more vessels by the end of this month.
MV Conti Asia, a mainline vessel conducting port rotation service in the DurbanKochiKarachiMundraNhava ShevaJebel Ali sector, called at the new terminal on Sunday. The vessel left for Karachi in the afternoon after loading over 100 containers from the ICTT. Another mainliner Marie Delmas had called at the ICTT two days ago.
Following the strike launched by the workers, there was an uncertainty right from the inauguration of the terminal. There was also a confusion regarding where the ships should be berthed and handled.
"Companies have started showing interest in sending ships to Kochi. We are building a good relation with the companies," DP World Kochi CEO K K Krishnadas said.
"We offer the best rates at ICTT, which is compatible with Colombo. Come April, we can see more mainliners coming to Vallarpadam. The cashew season begins in April. We expect more and more vessels from Africa," DP World Kochi commercial manager Elvis said.
However, largesized mother vessels can come to ICTT only after the draft of 14.5 metres is achieved for which dredging work is in progress. Once it is achieved, even the biggest mother vessel in the world can berth at ICTT, DPW authorities said..

There's good news yet for Kochi's Willingdon Island, the location of Kochi Port, even as it fears losing its importance after container operations recently shifted to the newly commissioned Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT). The port's new Chairman, Mr Paul Antony, has asserted that Willingdon Island will remain a vibrant hub of maritime trade.

A senior Kerala cadre IAS officer, Mr Antony is thinking of ways to “rejuvenate” the port and ensure business grows with renewed vigour. The top priority is to attract bulk cargo in order to sustain the port and make it more competitive, he says.

He told Business Line that the port is working with various stakeholders, government departments, trade unions as well as port users to ensure optimum utilisation of facilities for all port-related activities to help attract business. “We have to reinvent ourselves to regain the past glory of Willingdon Island, for the future of the port,” Mr Antony says.

Upcoming projects

“However, my immediate priority is to carry forward the assurances given to terminal operator DP World, as per the contractual agreement, in making available draught of 14.5 metres in the ICTT berth basin to handle large-size container vessels and also alleviate the concerns of the trade due to the initial confusion at the terminal.

The port, on the other hand, has a handful of projects such as LNG Terminal, Multi User Liquid Terminal, cruise terminal etc., and my intention is to ensure these projects are commissioned in a time-bound manner.”

According to him, Willingdon Island has potential for many port-related activities besides the bulk cargo business. The Ernakulam wharf — with 12.5 metre draught and adequate backup space with covered area and rail lines — can attract bulk cargoes such as food grains, scrap, timber, sand, coal and so on from the hinterland. However, bulk cargo-related development activities have been hampered after the Navy objected to the erection of tall cranes. Following recent discussions with naval authorities, the two sides have mutually agreed to set up a hotline facility to inform each other on the requirement of lowering and rising of cranes in the wharf, he said. The opening of tenders for the proposed Multi User Liquid Terminal project has been postponed by a month after bidders requested clarity on the issue of Minimum Alternate Tax.

The terminal will enable the port to provide bunkering services to ocean-going ships at rates that are competitive to foreign ports, especially with the Kerala Government's decision to allow 0.5 per cent VAT rates on bunker charges.

POWER PLANT

The port is also in discussion with the Government for allotment of 56 acres to the LNG Terminal to set up a 1,200 MW power plant at Puthuvypeen. Likewise, the IOC is working on its LPG import facility at Puthuvypeen, which will be commissioned within a year. The port's finances are expected to improve after these projects are commissioned, over the next 2-3 years.

Meanwhile, the Kerala Tourism Department has agreed to collaborate with the port to set up a terminal for cruise ships and turn Kochi into a “home porting port”. The port has submitted to the Government a cost estimate for the creation of facilities at the BTP jetty for Customs inspection and other formalities.

Master Plan

Under the Master Plan for Willingdon Island, an initiative of the Shipping Ministry, the northern side of Willingdon Island will be developed for port-related activities and the southern side for business districts. There are plans to lease out 56 acres opposite the Vallarpadam terminal as three separate plots for setting up CFS and Logistics parks. The port has made a presentation before the Ministry and shortlisted the consultants.

There is a need to increase the number of container freight stations — currently there are just 3-4 — within the ICTT to ensure smooth conduct of business at the terminal.

On the issue of dredging, Mr Antony said the port has approached the Ministry for funds to maintain dredging operations on the lines of Kolkata Port, which is entirely Government funded. This year, the port has decided to go for a three-year maintenance dredging arrangement to help reduce costs, he said

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article1556341.ece

Motherships? They are having draft of only 11M and 10.5M respectively. Its either older generation vessels or Manorama doesn't know the classification of ships:nuts:


Manorama print edition of today

Two motherships visited ICCT Vallarpadom. 30453 dwt Marie Delmas and 23,596 dwt Conti Asia.

These are in fact feedermaxes. Can't really call them motherships.

Concor to move Vallarpadam cargo to CFS at Kochi
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/multimedia/dynamic/00516/vallarpadam_516394f.jpg
OEL Dubai making the maiden call at the Vallarpadam International Container Transhipment
Terminal, in Kochi

To ease the problems being faced by the trade in evacuating containers from the newly commissioned Vallarpadam Terminal, Container Corporation of India (Concor) is coming up with a new service to move cargo from the ICTT to Kochi port's CFS at Willingdon Island by rail.

The service will be connected from the ICTT at Vallarpadam to Edappally and from there to Willingdon Island where the port's CFS is located. The officials at DP World said that the service will commence shortly as the parties are working the movement plan with respective lines.

Around 90 TEUs can be evacuated from the terminal in a single move, which is an additional way of evacuating boxes, and, thereby, reducing the congestion on roads.

A decision to this effect was taken following the request from Kochi Port and the DP World for the benefit of the trade in order to reduce the logistical cost. The rates for moving containers will be fixed at Rs 3,850 for TEUs and Rs 6,000 for FEUs, He pointed out that the commencement of this service would be an additional benefit to the trade in the evacuation of containers, as it would help the trade to move the cargo to the southern part of Kerala from Willingdon Island faster.

Earlier, there was no such provision to move cargo from Vallarpadam to Willingdon Island by rail and the trade had to depend the congested roads in the city, which has resulted in high cost and time delay. Besides, the shortage of drivers for container trailers had also added to the woes of trailer operators in clearing the cargo.

The DP World official said that the terminal is also exploring various options for evacuation of containers once the operations comes in full swing. The potential usage of inland water transportation mode can also be utilised fully in evacuating containers from the terminal to various destinations in the State.

The port management had also augmented its CFS and pre-stage facility to support the ICTT operations. To control processing time for export containers before shipment through the ICTT, the port had commenced pre-processing facility (the pre-stage) in its Ernakulam Wharf, providing single window processing for facilitating customs clearance for export containers from the domestic area. The pre-stage also provides clearance for the containers imported through ICTT.
The Hindu Businessline (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article1585180.ece?homepage=true)

Kochi port invites fresh bids for logistics park

Staff Reporter

7.5 hectares close to Vallarpadam terminal to be leased for the park.

KOCHI: The Cochin Port Trust has invited fresh bids for leasing of 7.5 hectares close to the International Container Transshipment Terminal on Vallarpadam Island. The land is being leased out for 30 years for the development of a cargo and logistics park.

The cargo and logistics complex will go to serve the international container terminal, which has no adequate container freight station (CFS) space right now.

Lack of CFS space has led to relatively slow movement of boxes landing the export-import community in some trouble.

At a meeting of stakeholders regarding the operations of the new container terminal early last month, the port authority assured that more space would be made available on Vallarpadam Island for handling export-import containers.

The port trust has already augmented its CFS and pre-stage facilities on Willingdon Island. A pre-stage facility to control the processing time for export containers has also been launched at the Ernakulam wharf, which acts as a single-window processing facility for customs clearance.

Through rail

To solve the problem of Container Freight Station space on Vallarpadam Island, the port authorities had also mooted the idea of movement of containers to and from Willingdon Island using the rail line.

The Container Corporation of India (Concor) has already agreed to the proposal. The service is likely to be announced any time now.

http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/06/stories/2011040658100300.htm

Container operations pick up speed at Vallarpadam
V. Sajeev Kumar
Kochi, April 12:

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/multimedia/dynamic/00421/Vallarpadam__421087f.jpg
After some teething troubles, there are welcome signs that container operations are gathering momentum at the newly commissioned Vallarpadam International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT).

According to official sources in ICTT, the reduction in the vessel related charges offered by the Kochi port management for mainline container vessels on par with Colombo port has resulted in the increased arrival of such vessels for transhipment.

Mainlines from West Africa such as Zim/CMA have also started calling at Kochi and companies such as Delmas, PIL and Maersk are planning transhipment of raw cashew consignment to Mangalore and Tuticorin by utilising the ICTT facility.
Global lines

The high productivity and quick turnaround have reduced the berth stay cost, which is an added advantage to the mainliners, and enquiries are also pouring in from various international shipping lines. The 12.5 metre draught presently available in the berth has helped mainline vessels to anchor with cargo. The terminal productivity has also moved up from an average of 15-16 moves per hour per crane at RGCT to about 25 moves and hour per crane resulting in faster turnaround of vessels and reduced berth cost for vessel operators.

However, the lack of sufficient number of CFS in the vicinity of the terminal is hindering free flow of containers to and from the terminal for various Customs procedures. The officials hoped that the connectivity to the hinterland will improve further with the opening of two more CFS by Gateway Distriparks and Kerala State Industrial Enterprises by June.
Handling charges

Asked about the controversy over the high terminal handling charges, the sources said that DP World has effected only an actual increase of Rs 732 for 20 ft containers and Rs 1,150 for 40 ft containers after getting the nod from TAMP. The rates at present are Rs 4,200 for 20 ft and Rs 6,400 for 40 ft.

Earlier, the steamer agents were charging separate rates of lashing and unlashing of containers, which were fixed at Rs 345 /container. Currently, the ICTT rates are inclusive of these charges.

Besides, DP World had stopped the collection of pre-stage charges which were in the range of Rs 500 per 20 ft containers and Rs 600 for 40 ft earlier. The trade has now an option to choose the pre-stage facility either at the Willingdon Island or at any CFS. Customs has also given facility of the printing of shipping bills at Ernakulam Wharf absolutely free.

The Hindu BL (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article1691755.ece?homepage=true)

VICTT gets ISO Certification
Cochin IGTL (VICTT) has been awarded ISO-28000 certification, informed DP World.

Mathrubhumi (http://www.mathrubhumi.com/business/news_articles/story-185614.html)
DP World Cochin (http://www.igtpl.com/)

Operations in full swing at ICTT
After teething troubles, operations are in full swing at the Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal. At least six mainline vessels call at the terminal on an average every month.
The ICTT started functioning amid apprehensions from many quarters. Strike by labourers and court orders on petitions related to the strike had caused apprehensions among the trading community.
“With productivity increasing every day, we are now able to reduce vessel berth stay by more than 50 percent. We need only six hours to handle a vessel with 600 to 700 TEUs of containers,” DP World sources said. The raw cashew season, involving import from West Africa, kicked off in Kochi with the arrival of a mainline vessel CMA CGM’s mv Letavia last week. Letavia’s cargo was handled in six hours. Usually, it takes 12 hours to complete the same job. The season lasts for around four months starting from May.
“This is a mainline service from Africa to China, touching at Colombo on its normal route. During the next four months of the service, Letavia will avoid Colombo and come to Kochi. During this season, the cargo bound for Colombo will get transshipped through ICTT. The service has 11 vessels with a capacity of 3500 TEUs and an LOA (length over all) of over 220 metres,” said DP World sources. “CMA CGM, a leading company in container shipping which owns mv Letavia, has been using Rajiv Gandhi Container Terminal of the Cochin Port for the past two years. This time, at the ICTT, the company has even bigger plans,” they said.
Currently, two mainline vessels call at ICTT every week with raw cashew.
An average of 25000 TEUs of cashew passes through Cochin Port during the season.
Indian Express (http://expressbuzz.com/cities/kochi/operations-in-full-swing-at-ictt/275064.html)

Dredging works resume at VICTT

* Capital dredging works at the Vallarpadam basin has resumed.
* The Port Trust appointed Visakhapatnam-based Mercator Lines (http://www.mllindia.com/default.aspx) to undertake the job of removing 2 million cubic metres of material to make ICTT basin capable of receiving huge mother vessels.
* The basin will be dredged to 14.5m depth
* The work is expected to be completed in four months.

Madhyamam (http://www.madhyamam.com/news/79253/110518)

Dredging works resume at VICTT



Madhyamam (http://www.madhyamam.com/news/79253/110518)

That's good news. Hope it'll be completed without any delay.

BTW, where exactly is the outer harbor being planned? Vypeen?

That's good news. Hope it'll be completed without any delay.

BTW, where exactly is the outer harbor being planned? Vypeen?

Yea, western coast of Puthu-Vypin.

Longest container berths at Kochi
http://www.hindu.com/2011/05/19/images/2011051954650501.jpg
Maiden journey:Spring R., the longest container vessel to call at the Kochi port, berthed at the International Container Terminal at Vallarpadam on Wednesday. The vessel is 247 metres long and has the capacity to carry 3,500 containers.
The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2011/05/19/stories/2011051954650500.htm)

Dedicated Terminal facility for Dweep passengers
KOCHI: Soon passengers to Lakshadweep bound vessels will have a dedicated terminal facility in Kochi. Going by the pace, the new Lakshadweep Passenger Terminal facility to come up at the Cochin Port will be operational by January 2012.The facility is being set up by the Lakshadweep Port Department at a cost of `40 crore. Though the new terminal is being established at the area given by the Cochin Port Trust, the new facility will be managed by the Lakshadweep Port Department. It will have a host of facilities, including the security checking area, passenger waiting zone and other related facilities. "The construction has already begun for the terminal which will be coming up between the BTP Berth and Mattanchery Warf. The canal cleaning, dredging and other related activities for ships to arrive and to carry out its service will be available here. The terminal will be exclusively for the Lakshadweepbound vessels," Cochin Port Trust Traffic Manager Unnikrishnan Nair said. With the monsoon fast approaching the demand for a dedicated terminal facility for Lakshadweepbound passengers has been active for some time. It is in this backdrop, the Port Trust along with the Lakshadweep Port Department took the initiative to set up a terminal.Currently, passengers to Lakshadweep islands have been facing problems of not having a dedicated terminal. There are no facilities for security checking at the existing berth. The passengers would get stranded at various places when ships were suddenly cancelled or delayed due to monsoonrelated reasons. They were forced to wait in front of various offices at different parts of the city when ships get delayed. "It causes trouble as they have to travel from one end to another for security check and cargo loading. Similarly, the cargo was transported through lorries from one place to another. The new terminal will have facilities for cargo loading of passengers," the officials said. In addition to passenger vessels, cargo vessels will operate from here.
IBN Live (http://ibnlive.in.com/news/dedicated-terminal-facility-for-dweep-passengers/153732-60-122.html)

കൊച്ചി തുറമുഖത്തെ പല പണിമുടക്കുകളും ആര്*ക്കോ വേണ്ടി ആസൂത്രണം ചെയ്യപ്പെടുന്നവയാണെന്ന് സംശയിക്കേണ്ടിയിരിക്കുന്നു.


http://www.mathrubhumi.com/online/malayalam/news/story/950536/2011-05-23/kerala

^^Yes we need a CBI enquiry.

കൊച്ചി തുറമുഖത്തെ പല പണിമുടക്കുകളും ആര്*ക്കോ വേണ്ടി ആസൂത്രണം ചെയ്യപ്പെടുന്നവയാണെന്ന് സംശയിക്കേണ്ടിയിരിക്കുന്നു.


http://www.mathrubhumi.com/online/malayalam/news/story/950536/2011-05-23/kerala

കൊച്ചി തുറമുഖത്തെ പല പണിമുടക്കുകളും ആര്*ക്കോ വേണ്ടി ആസൂത്രണം ചെയ്യപ്പെടുന്നവയാണെന്ന് സംശയിക്കേണ്ടിയിരിക്കുന്നു.


http://www.mathrubhumi.com/online/malayalam/news/story/950536/2011-05-23/kerala

translate please

The report states there is some hidden agenda behind the recent strikes @
Vallarpadom. Mr. Ramachandran, who was a former Cochin Port Trust chairman raised this during a press meet. He's claiming there are forces out there to curb the growth of Vallarpadom.
translate please

^^ thanks

http://item.slide.com/r/1/15/i/5bKfnCtO6j8MC1kKdBRRWwDvp_VSGbfc/

On the move: LOTS Shipping moving two mobile harbour cranes and four rubber tyre gantry from Rajiv Gandhi Container Terminal to International Container Transhipment Terminal at Vallarpadam in Kochi recently. – K.K.

Kochi, May 31:
India Gateway Terminal Pvt Ltd (DP World, Kochi) has awarded a turnkey project to LOTS Shipping Ltd, a Kochi-based shipping company.

The project is to move two mobile harbour cranes (MHC) and four rubber tyre gantry (RTG) from its old facility at Rajiv Gandhi container Terminal (RGTC) to itsnew facility at International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICCT) at Vallarpadam.

The task was to shift these equipment without dismantling. LOTS Shipping had mobilised tug and barge combination from Mumbai and successfully carried out the operation in nine days, a press release said.


The Hindu Business Line (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-logistics/article2066562.ece)

http://expressbuzz.com/cities/kochi/ictt-workers-agitate-for-better-facilities/281779.html


KOCHI: Members of the Trade Union Coordination Committee kept off from work for a brief period at the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT), Vallarpadam, on Monday seeking better facilities for the cleaners of the container vehicles, even as the ICTT promoter DP World said that such things would affect the facilities' credibility. The workers marched to the office in the morning in support of their demands and later called it off.

>>

The report states there is some hidden agenda behind the recent strikes @
Vallarpadom. Mr. Ramachandran, who was a former Cochin Port Trust chairman raised this during a press meet. He's claiming there are forces out there to curb the growth of Vallarpadom.

India Gateway Terminal - DP World Cochin (http://www.igtpl.com/)
http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/5638/kochimay2011103large.jpg

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/930/kochimay201194large.jpg

http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/4476/kochimay2011116large.jpg
Courtesy: Arun Mathew

A training ship for Kochi

The Ministry of Shipping is considering establishing four training ships to train sailors in the country, Union Minister for Shipping G K Vasan said here today.

Talking to reporters after flagging-off a tourist cruiser at the port here, Vasan said India had more than 11 lakh sailors and the numbers were expected to reach 16 lakh by 2020. So, there was a dire need for quality training in the maritime education sector, Vasan said. India constituted the fifth largest seafaring community in the world and formed six to seven per cent of the global market, the minister said. "We expect to become nine per cent of the global market by 2020," he added. Emphasising the need for better infrastructure in ports, Vasan said his ministry would improve infrastructure in Marmugoa, Mangalore, Kochi and Mumbai.

http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/govt-considers-establishing-4-more-training-ships-for-sailors/719708.html

Turnkey project at DP World implemented.



LOTS Shipping Ltd, a Kochi based shipping company, executed a turnkey project in India Gateway Terminal Pvt Ltd recently.

Under the assignment, LOTS Shipping had to move two mobile harbor cranes and four rubber tyred gantries from the old facility at Rajiv Gandhi Container Terminal to the new one at the International Container Transhipment Terminal Vallarpadam.

In a release issued here, IGTPL said that the task entailed the equipment to be shifted without being dismantled.

The release added that "LOTS Shipping mobilized tug and barge combination from Mumbai and successfully carried out the operation in nine days.”

http://www.steelguru.com/indian_news/LOTS_Shipping_executes_turnkey_project_in_DP_World_Cochin/208885.html



Increased Security Upgrade at Kochi Harbour base



Terrorists trained like marine commandos to dive and slip through harbour protection systems could one day unleash havoc by planting underwater bombs or mines at a major port. This is no longer in the realm of fiction in the backdrop of the 26/11 terror strikes in Mumbai as well as last month’s Taliban attack on Mehran naval airbase in Karachi, both of which involved some training of the jihadis by Pakistani marine commandos.

To tackle such threats, India is now also going in for “a major upgrade’’ of its harbour protection systems (HPSs) at the naval bases in Mumbai, Vizag, Karwar, Kochi and Port Blair, along with the ongoing security audit of ports, airfields, naval facilities, offshore installations and the like.

Top defence ministry sources say the plan is to “upgrade existing HPSs’’ and “plug gaps’’ to ensure that any nefarious activity by regular or irregular enemy forces are detected early and neutralized swiftly. Navy, of course, already has some HPSs like diver-detection sonars and underwater physical nets. “Scare chargers’’, which create sound waves to burst the eardrums of hostile divers or frogmen, are also used to secure areas if suspicious underwater activity is detected anytime. The upgrade plan will take them to an altogether different level. It involves “a composite HPS’’ for 24x7 wide-area surveillance through more advanced mobile nets, intrusion detection sonars, infra-red cameras, electro-optical, motion sensors and radars.

“Divers can now be armed with closed-circuit re-breather systems, which do not cause bubbles...that makes it all the more difficult to detect them,’’ said a source. “The composite HPS is to ensure that even a small cut in the nets or some other breach sets off alarms for responders to react in time and defuse the threat,’’ he added. Lessons have also been learnt from the way al-Qaida used a small explosive-laden craft to attack American destroyer USS Cole, which killed 17 sailors and injured dozens more, while it was harboured in the Yemeni port of Aden in October 2000. As part of the overall harbour security plan, the Navy will also procure 16 new coastal anti-submarine vessels which can operate outside harbours to keep enemy submarines at bay.

Navy’s new specialized Sagar Prahari Bal (SPB), one of the measures cleared after the 26/11 marine jihadis exposed gaping holes in India’s coastal security, has now also made a beginning towards protecting naval assets, bases and harbours on both west and east coasts. The first lot of the 15 fast-interception craft (FICs), which can effectively patrol almost up to 200 nautical miles, for SPB were delivered by French shipyard Chantier Naval Couach recently. These boats are in addition to the 80 FICs approved at a cost of over Rs 320 crore for the proposed 1,000-strong SPB, the deliveries of which will begin by 2012-2013. Sources said Phase-I of the critical coastal surveillance network will also be up and running soon. It includes 46 stations, with coastal radars, cameras, AIS (automatic identification systems) and other sensors mounted atop old lighthouses to dynamically locate and track vessels. Phase-II, with 56 additional stations, is to follow thereafter.

http://www.morungexpress.com/national/66748.html

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5259/5434378650_4714acd54f_o.jpg
Copyright Babish VB

To garner investment, Kochi is eyeing on issuance of Tax free bonds by Indian Ports, co-authorized by Indian Government

Four major ports — Cochin, Kolkata, Ennore (near Chennai) and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Mumbai) — have approached the government for permission to raise funds through issue of tax-free bonds, a senior government official said.

The Union Budget for the current fiscal had allowed issue of Rs 5,000 crore tax-free infrastructure bonds for raising long-term funds for the port sector. The Shipping Ministry had asked both the government-owned major ports as well as the private ports whether they would like to take this route for raising low-cost funds.

Mr Rakesh Srivastava, Joint Secretary (Ports), Ministry of Shipping, told Business Line that four major ports have sought funds under the tax-free bond scheme. “Besides, we have also received a request on behalf of private ports. We are waiting for the go-ahead from the Finance Ministry,” he said. The JNPT Chairman, Mr L. Radhakrishnan, had earlier indicated that the port would seek around Rs 1,000 crore for meeting the cost of dredging the navigation channel, the tender for which was floated last month, a port official said.

An official of Cochin Port today confirmed that the port has sought funds under the tax-free bond scheme for its Rs 2,500-crore outer harbour project.

The Shipping Ministry is now waiting for guidelines from the Ministry of Finance to go ahead with the plan. Unlike in other infrastructure sectors, the port sector does not have a dedicated financial institution. In the absence of this, the Shipping Ministry had earlier asked the Ennore Port, the only corporatised port among the 13 major ports in the country, whether it could take the responsibility for issuing the bonds. As it raised legal hurdles, the Ministry is now waiting for Finance Ministry's advice. Mr Srivastava said besides the public sector ports, private ports have also shown interest in the tax-free bonds. The Indian Private Ports and Terminals Association has sought details of the scheme. However, the government is yet to take a final view on how to extend the low cost-funds to private ports.

The Rs 5,000 crore is a meagre amount considering the funds requirements in the sector. However, the private sector would be keen to avail itself of the financing through tax-free bonds, said Mr S. S. Kulkarni, Secretary-General of

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article2096720.ece?homepage=true

:banana::banana::banana:

To garner investment, Kochi is eyeing on issuance of Tax free bonds by Indian Ports, co-authorized by Indian Government


:banana::banana::banana:

Rs 2500Cr is minimal if we consider the total infrastructure planned and cost that would incur for the same.

Check this
Working for Kochi Port Development - Paul Antony (CPT Chairman)
* 53 acres has been kept apart for 12000MW power plant @ puthuvypin
* Rs 200Cr Multi-User liquid terminal @ Puthuvypin port SEZ with private participation - Tender in progress.
* INKEL, MFAR, VKL Holdings JV Logistics centre @ Vallarpadam
* New outer Harbour in 1200 acres with an investment of Rs. 15K Crores!! :nuts:
* Ship repairing facility, which will be developed to building yard later @ Willingdon

Read more here (http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentId=9449980&programId=1073753761&channelId=-1073751706&BV_ID=@@@&tabId=11)

Rs 2500Cr is minimal if we consider the total infrastructure planned and cost that would incur for the same.

Check this
Working for Kochi Port Development - Paul Antony (CPT Chairman)


Read more here (http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentId=9449980&programId=1073753761&channelId=-1073751706&BV_ID=@@@&tabId=11)

Perhaps, this amount may be used for preparatory works for Outer Harbour. It could be construction of breakwater and other allied works. This is because, the outer harbour can be commenced, only after DP World achieve 1 million TEU!!! It may take another 4 to 5 years!!!

So by that time, all preparatory works may be ready!!!

X-Posting from Chennai Ports Thread
http://i.imgur.com/JBpng.jpg

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article2035450.ece?homepage=true

India has joined the global cruise line club with the country's first cruise ship, AMET Majesty, registered in Chennai with an Indian flag. The ship will make her maiden visit to the Indian shores on June 8 in Chennai and sail off to high seas the next day.

The Chennai-based AMET Shipping Pvt Ltd of the AMET Group, which is in to maritime training, has invested Rs 100 crore in procuring the 35-year-old cruise vessel Arberia from a Greek owner.

The ship was first operated by the Star Cruise, said Mr P. Bharathi, CEO and Managing Director, AMET Cruises, a division of AMET.

The funding to buy the ship came from the group's internal resources, from banks and few Singapore-based individual investors, said Dr J. Ramachandran, Chairman, AMET Shipping India without the break-up.

AMET Majesty will operate regular service covering India and Sri Lanka. It will offer locations in Asia such as Anadaman, Phuket, Mumbai, Goa, Lashdweep, Kochi, Colombo and Maldives for the tourists.

To begin with the service will include short trips to high seas in Chennai (one night) and long triples covering international destinations such as Triconamalleee in Sri Lanka, he said.

The company is hoping to get support for its cruise service from the large number of Indian tourists who otherwise travel to Singapore to go on a cruise there. It is said that nearly 80,000 Indian go on cruises annually, he said.

Cruise terminals

Mr Bharathi said the company was in talk with the ports of Chennai, Kochi, Mormugao and Mumbai for berthing the ship in these places. Three cruise terminals are being planned at Mormugao, Mumbai and Kochi at a cost of Rs 480 crore.

The Mumbai Port Trust plans to spend Rs 150 crore to create a new cruise terminal near the Gateway of India and the Cochin Port Trust will spend Rs 150 crore in an international cruise terminal. The Chennai Port Trust has already in place a cruise terminal.

Capt Bhardwaj, Vice-Chancellor, AMET University, told newspersons that the ship was certified to carry 1,000 passengers on international voyage by the Government of India.

The Directorate General of Shipping has approved the ship in principle to train 90 nautical cadets and 120 engineering cadets for a period of six months of their required pose-sea training mandatory to appear for the competency examination conducted by them.

These cadets can now be trained in the group's own vessel, he said.

The proposed cruise routes are: Chennai-Andaman-Phuket-Chennai; Chennai-Vizag-Chennai; Chennai-Trincomalle-Karaikal-Chennai; Mumbai-Lakshadweep-Mumbai; Kochi-Lakshadweep-Kochi; Kochi-Maldives-Colombo-Kochi.

http://i.imgur.com/JBpng.jpg

Finally, cruising is coming back to Kochi. After the bad experience of Louis Cruise in Kochi which forced them to call off the operations due to heavy berth charges, AMET Group has decided to try their luck and has started preparations to operate its cruise by the first week of October.

AMET Group chief executive officer P Bharathi held discussions with the Cochin Port Trust (CPT) officials on Tuesday in this regard. The final decision on berth charges and other facilities offered by CPT will be taken at the next CPT board meeting. Ross Masood, director, The Great India Tour Company Pvt Ltd, which is the marketing agency for the AMET Group, said that talks with CPT were positive. CPT has assured all help to start the cruise service from Kochi.

It is planned to start cruise service from Kochi to Maldives (four nights), Kochi-Lakshadweep (two nights) and high-sea trip during the night. If there is one trip to Maldives and three high-seas this week, next week it will be two trips to Lakshadweep and three high-seas which will continue on a rotation basis.

According to Masood, the high-seas trip has been planned each week as it was the most attractive tour package. It will be like a get away from the city for a day.

AMET Group will operate for five to six months a year and at least 100 calls will be made at the Kochi berth. At present there are around 50 to 60 cruises calling at the Kochi port and with the operation of the AMET Group it will increase to more than 150 a year. With the operation of the cruise from Kochi, cruise tourism in Kerala is likely to gain momentum and is expected to bring in huge revenue. New facilities are likely to come up at the Kochi berth to attract more tourists to experience luxury cruising.

When Louis Cruise started their service from Kochi, nearly 2,50,000 people enjoyed the cruise in just six weeks. Of this, 50 percent of tourists were from other states.:banana::banana::banana::banana:



http://ibnlive.in.com/news/luxury-cruising-coming-back-to-woo-tourists/161522-60-122.html

I hope this time they will do proper marketing.

Loosers Cruises screwed up there. Their campaign went ahead assuming people are familiar with cruising, and also there was no visibility.

Latest Google Earth image of Vallarpadam from Jan 24, 2011 -

http://img860.imageshack.us/img860/852/screenshot20110622at659.png

^^

Nice, Thank you

Nice!
Latest Google Earth image of Vallarpadam from Jan 24, 2011 -

http://img860.imageshack.us/img860/852/screenshot20110622at659.png

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/181692_181402921896363_176332552403400_342921_3830164_n.jpg

Kochi to base another Cruise Vessel from October
India's first cruise liner Amet Majesty (http://ametcruises.com/index.htm) will start cruise operations from Kochi in October till March.
The company will operate short & long distance cruises from Kochi.

Mathrubhumi (http://www.mathrubhumi.com/business/news_articles/story-195049.html)

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/181692_181402921896363_176332552403400_342921_3830164_n.jpg

awesome pic ! beauty :)

Kochi, the next logistics Hub - CPT Chairman
The new chairman of CPT expressed his vision to develop Kochi as a multi model logistics hub, in the likes of Singapore or Jebel Ali, Dubai.

Multi User Liquid Terminal
* Bunkering Terminal to be developed
* Rs 60 lakh revenue expected
* 50% deduction in berth & pilotage rates
* Annually, 30 lakh tonnes of fuel sales expected

Willingdon Island Re-development
* Master Plan preparation in progress.
* Dry-Dock & Mini-Shipyard planned.
* Tenders invited for 3rd cement packaging plant, currently Ambuja & Ultra-Tech has plants there.

Cruise Terminal
* The 5,000-7,000 Sq.ft. of the 60,000 sq.ft. Multi-Use shed built for Volvo Ocean Race will be developed.
* Rs. 4 Crore help expected from Central & state govt.'s.
* Tourists will have facilities as in airports, including purchase showrooms.
* The facility is planned to be ready by October.

Outer Harbor Project
* Detailed study on the project is being carried out.
* Foreign investment expected on the project.

Read more here (http://www.mathrubhumi.com/business/news_articles/story-196032.html)

Waterway linking seaport and airport to set sail
KOCHI: The prestigious project that connects the city to the international airport via the water network will commence in August. The Seaport-Airport waterway will connect the city to the airport through the waterway stretching from the High Court jetty to the international airport in Nedumabassery. The project is expected to be completed within 18 months at an estimated cost of Rs 107 crore.
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is the implementing agency of the project with support from the Irrigation Department.
The project will cover a total of 49.5-km stretch. The total distance will be covered as three different reaches, from Cochin Seaport to Eloor, Eloor to Kanjoor and Kanjoor to Airport. The primary connection, in the first phase, will be from Cochin Seaport to Eloor. The 23-km stretch in this area is a part of the national waterway 3 (NW3) which is being maintained by IWAI. “This stretch of the proposed route does not require any further improvement and if required it will taken up by IWAI,” as per the preliminary report of the project. At present country boats are plying on this route.
The second phase will connect Eloor to Kanjoor. The stretch from Eloor to Kanjoor is 26 km and is part of river Periyar. “The hydrographic survey conducted by IWAI and Irrigation Department through this route reveals that sufficient draft can be ensured during all seasons. The stretch also requires only marginal improvement like deepening at some shallow portions,” said the report.
The report also says that the project will lay emphasis on steps required to ensure maximum safety and environmental balance. “Protection work of river banks is required at some portions. As there are rocky stratas, underwater blasting for removal of sheet rocks will be done at some places. As this route comprises sharp curves and deltas, concrete guide posts are required to ensure safety,” stated the report.
The 500-metre final reach is a tributary of river Periyar known as Chengalthodu and is extensively silted. “The development proposed in this route is deepening and widening of existing Chengalthodu and it requires extensive desilatation,” as per the report. The report also suggests vegetative bank protection to the side berms of the embankment.
To stabilise the side berms above water level, vegetative bank protection is proposed for the entire length. The project also suggests the construction of terminal building at the destination along with proper connectivity to the terminals in the Airport.
On completion of the project, Kochi will become the first major port having direct inland waterway connectivity to the Airport. Another advantage of the project is that it does not require any displacement or rehabilitation as no private property is involved.
The tourism potential of the area will also get a tremendous boost. The cargo movement through this connectivity will be very cost-effective and therefore would boost the cargo traffic in this region. By shifting the movement of goods from roads to waterways, the traffic congestion on roads can be reduced to a considerable extent.

Indian Express (http://expressbuzz.com/cities/kochi/waterway-linking-seaport-and-airport-to-set-sail/288279.html)

ICTT to become fully functional by August-end
KOCHI: The functions of the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadom will become full-fledged by the end of August.
At an interactive session organised under the aegis of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Monday, ICTT chairman and managing director K K Krishnadas said the mother ships would call at the port if the Cochin Port Trust completes the deepening of the ship channel without delay.
The channel has to be widened to 15 metres for the mother ships to call at the ICTT. There are certain problems related to the operations of the ICTT. These will be solved soon, Krishnadas said.
He said the Central Government should relax the cabotage law which restricts the free movement of ships along the Indian coast. Krishnadas sought the help of organisations like the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the cause.
The ICTT has a less turn-around time (TOT) which helps the port to elevate itself to international standards. The ICTT will soon become a port that can compete with even Singapore, he said.

Indian Express (http://expressbuzz.com/cities/kochi/ictt-to-become-fully-functional-by-august-end/288732.html)

In an effort to attract more ships to dock in Kochi, the Cochin Port Trust has decided to offer 50 per cent discount to vessels calling at the port exclusively for bunkering purpose. The discount will be given on port charges, berth hire and pilotage to ships calling at the port.

“It’s definitely going to be attractive for vessels calling for bunkers only at the Cochin port. Also, the vessels will be given priority. If these are done, we can attract more vessels to Kochi. It’s going to be an advantage for us also,” said a BPCL official. The BPCL supplies bunkers in Kochi.

With the port developing two SEZs at Vallarpadom and Puthuvypeen, and some mega projects like International Container Transshipment Terminal, Petronet LNG Terminal and Cruise Terminal coming up, Kochi holds tremendous potential for bunkering. Also, the port’s proximity to international sea routes will attract big vessels.

The vessel traffic at the port has gone up from 1,082 in the 2008-09 fiscal to 1,278 in 2009-10, which is about 18 percentage of growth.
As part of its effort to boost bunker trade, the state government had announced concessions in sales tax for sale of fuel and lubricants in September 2010.

The sales tax has been reduced to 0.5 percentage. The annual volume of bunkering in Kochi is to the tune of around 40 TMT, out of which a major contribution comes from duty paid bunkers supplied to Navy and Coast Guard.
“Due to its strategical position, Kochi can be developed as a major destination for bunkering and other ship-related charges.

Now with the reduced charges, vessels coming to the port for bunkering purposes only will have to shell out

only $28 (US) per metric tonne instead of $55 -- the earlier charge,” officials said.

Kochi port to be major bunkering hub
CPT to match services offered by other international ports

The Cochin Port Trust (CPT) has raised the prospects of turning the port here into an international bunkering (supplying a ship with fuel) hub with plans to provide substantial incentives to vessels coming on bunkers-only calls.

The CPT has already reduced port-related charges by about 50 per cent for vessels sailing to Kochi solely to take bunkers. The combined charges at the port now stand at $28 a tonne against the previous $55, sources said.

With the State government reducing sales tax and value-added tax from 21 per cent to 0.5 per cent early this year, furnace oil price here matches international rates such as those prevailing in Singapore.

Sources in Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd.'s refinery here said that Kochi was now matching rates in Colombo, a major centre for bunkering services. Bunker volumes are rising steadily at the international bunkering facility launched by the BPCL here at the port in July last year.

The BPCL bunkering facility here was launched in partnership with Matrix Bharat Marine Services Pvt. Ltd., Singapore. The oil-marketing company has also commissioned a barge-loading jetty at Irumpanam for the bunkering services.

BPCL-Kochi Refinery had made a representation before the CPT for reduction in port-related charges for vessels coming here on bunkers-only calls.

A perspective paper on worldwide bunkering points out that the worldwide bunkering market has grown to a volume of 150 million tonnes a year with Singapore continuing to be the largest bunker market with a volume close to 40 million tonnes a year. The other major bunker service centres are Shanghai, Colombo, Fujairah, Rotterdam, and Houston.

The paper points out that India has the capacity to grow into a major bunker service provider considering that the total volume in the country's ports are still at 1.5 million tonnes a year.

To tap the new opportunities offered by Kochi's strategic location, commissioning of the International Container Transshipment Terminal and the coming launch of the LNG terminal here, the port will have to build infrastructure that will enable bunkering simultaneously with cargo handling operations.

When transshipment operations goes into full swing at the ICTT, the number of vessels calling at Kochi will increase significantly. The number of vessels calling at Kochi has jumped from 1,082 during 2008-09 to 1,278 in 2009-10. In addition to this are the 90 crude carriers that were serviced at the single-point mooring system operated by BPCL-Kochi Refinery last year.

Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. is currently the leader in bunker fuel supply in the country. The Indian Navy and domestic shipping and dredging companies are among its clients.

The Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/article2157735.ece)

http://www.metrovaartha.com/ImageRetrevial.aspx?Id=803E47B0-D1CC-4E06-906B-CE88AD340D37&wid=195&hei=140

അറബിക്കടലിന്*റെ റാണിയില്* അണിഞ്ഞൊരുങ്ങുന്ന കൊച്ചി അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര ക്രൂയ്സ് ടെര്*മിനലില്* ഒക്റ്റോബര്* മാസം ആദ്യ കപ്പലെത്തും.

സംസ്ഥാനത്തിന്*റെ ടൂറിസം വ്യവസായത്തിനു പുത്തന്* ഉണര്*വേകുമെന്നു പ്രതീക്ഷിക്കുന്ന

ടെര്*മിനലിന്*റെ 90 ശതമാനം നിര്*മാണപ്രവൃത്തികളും പൂര്*ത്തിയാക്കിയതായി തുറമുഖവൃത്തങ്ങള്* അറിയിച്ചു.സഞ്ചരിക്കുന്ന സ്വര്*ഗം എന്നു വിശേഷണമുള്ള ക്യൂണ്* മേരി വിഭാഗത്തില്*പ്പെട്ട കപ്പലായിരിക്കും ആദ്യം ടെര്*മിനലിലെത്തുക.

വില്ലിങ്ടണ്* ഐലന്*ഡില്* കൊച്ചി വാര്*ഫിനു സമീപം 3.68 ഹെക്റ്റര്* സ്ഥലത്താണു പൊതു - സ്വകാര്യ പങ്കാളിത്തത്തോടെ ക്രൂയിസ് ടെര്*മിനല്* ഉയരുന്നത്. രാജ്യാന്തര കപ്പലുകള്*ക്ക് നങ്കൂരമിടാനു യാത്ര പുറപ്പെടാനും കഴിയുന്ന സൗകര്യത്തോടെയാണു ടെര്*മിനലിന്*റെ നിര്*മാണം.

220 മീറ്റര്* നീളത്തിലും 10 മീറ്റര്* വീതിയിലാണു ടെര്*മിനല്* നിര്*മിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നത്. 375 കോടി രൂപയാണു നിര്*മാണത്തിനായി കണക്കാക്കിയിട്ടുള്ളത്. ടെര്*മിനലിന് അനുബന്ധമായി നിര്*മിക്കുന്ന കേരള വില്ലെജ്, അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര നിലവാരുമുള്ള ഷോപ്പിങ് മാള്*, ഓഫിസ്, ഫൈവ് സ്റ്റാര്* ഹോട്ടല്* എന്നിവയുടെ നിര്*മാണം അവസാനഘട്ടത്തിലാണ്.

2008ലാണു പദ്ധതിയെ സംബന്ധിച്ച് ഫേസിബിലിറ്റി സ്റ്റഡി നടത്തിയത്. ഇതിന്*റെ അടിസ്ഥാനത്തില്* കൊച്ചി പോലുള്ള തുറമുഖത്ത് ക്രൂയിസ് ടെര്*മിനല്* അത്യന്താപേക്ഷികമാണെന്നു വിലയിരുത്തലുണ്ടായിരുന്നു.

പിന്നീട് പോര്*ട്ടിന്*െറ മേല്*നോട്ടത്തില്* തന്നെ നിര്*മാണപ്രവര്*ത്തനങ്ങള്* ആരംഭിച്ചു.

കേരളത്തിന്*െറ തനത് പൈതൃകം വിളിച്ചോതുന്ന കേരള വില്ലെജാണു ടെര്*മിനലിലെ കൂടുതല്* ആകര്*ഷണം.

328 റൂമുകളാണ് ഹോട്ടലില്* ഉള്ളത്. കൂടാതെ പാര്*ക്കിങ്ങിനായി പ്രത്യേക സൗകര്യവും ഒരുക്കുന്നു.

പദ്ധതിയുടെ മറ്റ് അനുബന്ധ പ്രവര്*ത്തനങ്ങള്*ക്കായി 4.42 ഹെക്റ്റര്* സ്ഥലം വാടകയ്ക്കെടുത്തിട്ടുണ്ട്.

ക്രൂയ്സ് ബെര്*ത്തിന് 61.22 കോടി, ക്രൂയിസ് ടെര്*മിനല്* ബില്*ഡിങ്ങിന് 40.94 കോടി, കേരള വില്ലെജിന് ആറ് കോടി,ഷോപ്പിങ് മാളിനും ഓഫിസ് ടവറിനുമായി 83.53 കോടി രൂപയുമാണു ചെലവു പ്രതീക്ഷിക്കുന്നത്.

2010 നവംബറില്* പൂര്*ത്തിയാക്കേണ്ട പദ്ധതി പ്രവൃത്തി അവസാനിക്കാത്തതിനാല്* നീട്ടുകയായിരുന്നു. ബര്*ത്തിന്*റെ നിര്*മാണത്തിനുള്ള കാലതാമസമായിരുന്നു പദ്ധതി വൈകാന്* കാരണം.

ഒരോ വര്*ഷവും പദ്ധതിയിലൂടെ 58 കോടി രൂപയുടെ വരുമാനമാണു ലക്ഷ്യമിടുന്നത്.

കഴിഞ്ഞ വര്*ഷം 80 ഓളം കപ്പലുകളാണു കൊച്ചി തീരത്തെത്തിയത്.

2008-09ലെ വോള്*വോ ഓഷ്യന്* റേസിനു ശേഷം കൊച്ചി തുറമുഖത്തിന് അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര ടൂറിസം ഭൂപടത്തില്* പ്രത്യേക സ്ഥാനമാണു പിടിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നത്.

ഇതിനുശേഷം കൊച്ചിയിലേക്കുള്ള ടൂറിസ്റ്റുകളുടെ വരവില്* ഗണ്യമായ വര്*ധനയാണുണ്ടായതെന്നു കണക്കുകള്* സൂചിപ്പിക്കുന്നു.

കേന്ദ്ര സര്*ക്കാര്* ടൂറിസം വികസനത്തിനായി 15 കോടി രൂപ ഉപാധികളില്ലാതെ നല്*കിയിരുന്നു.

ക്രൂയ്സ് ടെര്*മിനല്* പ്രവര്*ത്തനസജ്ജമാകുന്നതൊടെ ആയിരക്കണക്കിനുപേര്*ക്കു തൊഴിലും കോടികളുടെ വിദേശനാണ്യവും നേടാന്* കഴിയുമെന്നാണു വിലയിരുത്തല്*.

http://www.metrovaartha.com/2011/06/28032749/cruiz-terminal20110628.html

If things go well as per plans, International Cruise Terminal at Kochi will receive its first batch of high profile guests by October 2011. The port authorities have informed that 90% of works have been completed.

The terminal, is constructed keeping in mind to welcome the hyper-luxurious Queen Mary 2, scheduled to reach Kochi by mid of October. The luxurious state-of-the-art terminal is coming up at 3.68 acres of land near to Kochi Wharf in Willingdon Island at a cost of Rs 375 crore.

The terminal is of 220 meters in length, 10 meters of wide. The terminal is expected to have allied units like high end shopping malls, premium hotels, commercial offices and a Kerala Village. The main attraction of the terminal is Kerala Village showcasing Kerala arts and culture.

A 5 five star hotel with 328 rooms are planned along with the terminal, apart from large parking spaces for tourist buses and shuttle services for tourists to move to other parts of state.

The port have allocated a sum of Rs 61.22 for terminal berths, 40.94 for cruise buildings, 83.53 for Kerala Village, shopping mall and office spaces.

The port expects Rs 50 crore per year as returns, as Kochi receives the largest number of international luxury cruises in India. Last year around 80 mega cruisers visited Kochi.

:banana::banana::banana::banana:

Its about time too. We received tens of thousands of cruise passengers, who came in the laps of luxury, into the old, rickety, embarkation jetty. The passengers coming in by air is offered the world class facilities of CIAL, but the cruise passengers were being ignored.

India Gateway Terminals Limited, operating the International Container Transshipment Terminal, has promised to look into a suggestion from the container carrier owners that they would set up a permanent building within the terminal area for the use of the drivers and crew of container carriers.

The IGTPL authorities will discuss the proposal from lorry owners with the authorities at Cochin Port Trust.

The IGTPL authorities also agreed to allow, though temporarily, the cleaners into the terminal area for them to make use of the extended canteen facilities inside the drivers' reception after they get the routine passes.

Discussions among all stakeholders ended a six-day-old strike at the terminal by the container carrier drivers and crew. The strike had paralysed the movement of containers to and from the ICTT and around 3,000 containers were stranded at the terminal area.

The IGTPL authorities have made it clear that the lorry cleaners will not be allowed to walk about the terminal area for security reasons.

It was made clear during the discussions on Wednesday evening that allowing cleaners into the terminal area was against the usual policy and practices, which had been adopted for security reasons.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/article2210455.ece

The shipping ministry plans to award seven projects, worth Rs 13,000 crore, under the public-private partnership mode in the next three months, as it rushes to kick-start capacity addition at ports in the current fiscal. Four of them were to be awarded in the first quarter but were held up for want of security and environmental clearances. For FY12, the government aims to award 23 PPP projects worth Rs 16,700 crore in 2011-12 , adding 230 mt to India's yearly cargo handling capacity of 1 billion tonnes.

Although the ministry adopted a new model concession agreement in 2008, it could award only 13 projects in 2009-10 and just nine in 2010-11 . "We could not award any project in the first quarter due to some issues," said a ministry official, admitting his department's failure in securing approvals.

In the second quarter, the government plans to award three projects of Rs 7,500 crore. These will include development of fourth container terminal at Jawaharlal Nehru Port, a multi-user liquid terminal at Kochi and a container terminal at the Tuticorin Port. These projects will add a yearly capacity of about 80 mt. "Issues like environmental clearance absence of a regulatory authority at the national level are some of the problems while awarding PPP projects ," said Samir Kanabar, partner, Infrastructure Practice , at Ernst and Young India

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/shipping-/-transport/shipping-ministry-to-award-projects-worth-rs-13000-crore-under-ppp-mode/articleshow/9158437.cms

the government plans to award three projects of Rs 7,500 crore. These will include development of fourth container terminal at Jawaharlal Nehru Port, a multi-user liquid terminal at Kochi and a container terminal at the Tuticorin Port. These projects will add a yearly capacity of about 80 mt.

Everyone will get their share they deserve, it’s a fact! Cheers …:cheers:
A genuine question, what is the criterion that matters most for a port? Deep sea berthing drafts or available hinterland cargo? Last couple of month’s lot of people hospitalized here due to excessive chill in their spines …:lol: The south west cold wave was so strong :nuts: Not to worry, the R&D associates will surely come out with some solutions like closing down major operating ports!
:rofl:

A genuine question, what is the criterion that matters most for a port? Deep sea berthing drafts or available hinterland cargo?
Well, the genuine answer will be BOTH, and many other factors.

For a regular port, the primary factor is the hinterland cargo. For a transshipment port it is the deep draft, and location. Colombo seems to be in the sweetest spot, because it serves both the nation of Sri Lanka, and also sits right at lands end around which ships need to pass.

Cost factors, both direct and indirect, is what attracts the shipping companies to use a transshipment hub. High cost, and strikes because the security guy stared at the truck cleaner, would definitely piss off the operators. Every hour a ship delayed at berth is money lost for the operator.

Lots of good news is receving for Kochi this... After cruise terminal and multi-liquid terminal, its going to international ferry proposal for Cochin Port



A ferry to the Maldives in 30 hours

Ruchika Chitravanshi / New Delhi July 10, 2011, 0:00 IST

Travelling to the Maldives might just get a little more exciting with the government now considering starting a sea route facility to the smallest Asian country. The shipping ministry in order to boost tourism to and from the Maldives will run a passenger liner for travellers either from Cochin port or the Tuticorin port.

“We are examining the projects. We are in discussion with the Maldives government on the modalities for a ferry service and development of ports for trade and tourism,” said K Mohandas, secretary-shipping ministry. A delegation led by the secretary, shipping, along with chairpersons of Cochin and Tuticorin Port Trust, an official from DG Shipping and Shipping Corporation of India are currently visiting the Maldives.

The sea route to the Maldives is expected to take about 30 hours to travel. The cost parameters are still being studied. Government officials will visit the ports as well as the Maldives to understand the demand and the economic viability of the project. “At this stage, we don’t have any details about the cost and frequency of such a service to the Maldives. But after Sri Lanka, this is the second neighbouring country to which we want to provide easy access,” Mohandas added.

Last month, the shipping ministry started a sea route to Sri Lanka from the Tuticorin port. The shipping service, which runs twice a week, costs about $50 for a passenger, with travelling time of 12 hours. The ship called Scotia Prince with capacity to ferry 1,044 passengers is operated by Flemingo Liners.

The Maldives is towards south of Lakshadweep Islands where the Indian Navy had captured 28 Somali pirates in February this year. “The Indian Navy has been guarding the area very well ever since the last incident occurred. Security will not be an issue,” Mohandas said.

According to tourist arrival figures of the Maldives for 2009, China ranks fourth among the top 10 tourism destinations, with over 69,000 arrivals. India stands at the 10th position with over 15,800 tourists visiting the country. In 2009, the Maldives’ total tourist arrivals were 655,852.

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/a-ferry-tomaldives-in-30-hours/442157/

If things go well as per plans, International Cruise Terminal at Kochi will receive its first batch of high profile guests by October 2011. The port authorities have informed that 90% of works have been completed.

The terminal, is constructed keeping in mind to welcome the hyper-luxurious Queen Mary 2, scheduled to reach Kochi by mid of October. The luxurious state-of-the-art terminal is coming up at 3.68 acres of land near to Kochi Wharf in Willingdon Island at a cost of Rs 375 crore.

The terminal is of 220 meters in length, 10 meters of wide. The terminal is expected to have allied units like high end shopping malls, premium hotels, commercial offices and a Kerala Village. The main attraction of the terminal is Kerala Village showcasing Kerala arts and culture.

A 5 five star hotel with 328 rooms are planned along with the terminal, apart from large parking spaces for tourist buses and shuttle services for tourists to move to other parts of state.

The port have allocated a sum of Rs 61.22 for terminal berths, 40.94 for cruise buildings, 83.53 for Kerala Village, shopping mall and office spaces.

The port expects Rs 50 crore per year as returns, as Kochi receives the largest number of international luxury cruises in India. Last year around 80 mega cruisers visited Kochi.

:banana::banana::banana::banana:

who will be running this 5 star hotel ? I thought this project is yet to receive approvals , here we are saying its almost over . No cone has posted any pics of the construction yet

"Feasibility Report and Business Plan for the project finalised in March 2008. Transaction Advisor appointed in June 2008 for the Project Development.Detailed Project Report submitted to Ministry in Dec 2010.Ministry's In Principle approval for the proposal sought in February 2011."

who will be running this 5 star hotel ? I thought this project is yet to receive approvals , here we are saying its almost over . No cone has posted any pics of the construction yet

"Feasibility Report and Business Plan for the project finalised in March 2008. Transaction Advisor appointed in June 2008 for the Project Development.Detailed Project Report submitted to Ministry in Dec 2010.Ministry's In Principle approval for the proposal sought in February 2011."

I too have no idea... I haven't been to Island recently..... I think someone based in Kochi can help us update on this. I reported what I say in a newspaper

Cochin Port Trust (CPT) has set a new productivity record in cargo handling by unloading the highest quantity of industrial salt on a single day in its history from ship MV JS Belmar here recently.


Port workers discharged 13,477 tonnes of industrial salt in bulk from the ship on July 8, the highest quantity of industrial salt handled on a single day at the port, surpassing all previous records, a CPT press release said.

The ship, which was carrying a total of 36,000 tonnes of salt for Travancore Cochin Chemicals, berthed at the Ernakulam Wharf on July 7 at 1800 hours. It sailed out yesterday at 0830 hours, with a record in ship berth day output.
Aspinwall & Company was the Steamer Agent and Stevedore of the vessel.
Consequent to shifting of the container terminal''s operation from Willingdon Island to Vallarpadam, deep draft berths and a large backup area at the Ernakulam Wharf of the port are used to handle various types of bulk/break bulk cargo.

The port is focused on developing the Ernakulam Wharf as a major bulk cargo consolidation centre in South India.:banana::banana::banana:

http://news.in.msn.com/business/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5283612

=====================================================

Appol venamgil Chakka verril kayakkum!!!:lol:

Maersk Sembawang is set to become the largest vessel to call South India and the largest MAERSK vessel to call India.

The vessel, with a length of 318.79 metres and a capacity of 6,478 TEUs is expected to arrive at the Cochin port on July 21, 2011 with an ETD of July 22, 2011.

The previous largest container ship to call South Indian ports was also a Maersk Line vessel - Maersk Kalamata, in Chennai, with a length of 303.83 metres and capacity of 6,416 TEUs.

This is a special call which has been induced by Maersk Line to cater to its customers for the cashew season into South India on the Asia-Europe eastbound routing.

Maersk Sembawang is a Singapore flagged vessel and will call Cochin’s Vallarpadam terminal on July 21, 2011.

http://www.indiainfoline.com/Markets/News/Maersk-Sembawang-to-be-largest-vessel-to-call-South-India-Ports/5198139023

Now THAT ONE is, indeed a Post Panamax Mothership.

Cochin Shipyard on process of bagging international orders for Asian Majors

Bahamian shipowners Campbell Shipping Ltd. has signed an order with Tsuji Heavy Industries (Jiangsu) Ltd., located at Changjiagang, Jiang Su for two 37,500 dwt double-hull log fitted bulk carriers, with an option for two more. These ships, which will be classed by ABS and fly the Bahamas flag, are to have 179.9 meters length overall, with a 30.4 meters beam, a scantling draft of 10.2 meters and a service speed of 13.9 knots. Their prime movers will be MAN B&W 5S50ME-9.2 Tier II diesels, one of the engine makers latest and most fuel efficient Tier II compliant engines.

“This contract is the first bright light in today’s otherwise dark newbuilding market” said GTRC President Antony Prince after the signing. “The timing is now ripe to select the best yards before the coming rush, to lock in the best prices and delivery schedules for 2012/13 and be ready to take advantage of an anticipated jump in charter rates.”

For Prince, the contract marks another satisfying moment in the company’s history of groundbreaking projects. “Back in the early 1990s we brought a series ship order to Dalian, through which China really showed the world what it could do,” he said. “We were again the trend setters in India, bringing the first commercial business to Cochin Shipyard and showing the world the quality of work possible in India.

http://www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=89134


Surely, Cochin Shipyard is rocking:banana::banana:

Maersk Sembawang is a Maersk S Class container ship having a capacity of 6478 TEU and 10.5 M draft.

Now THAT ONE is, indeed a Post Panamax Mothership.

Exactly, Rajkrish. I was referring to an earlier report of the media when a FeederMax ship has docked. FeederMaxes are not considered Mothership. Panamax and higher are.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/multimedia/dynamic/00706/BL19_TPT_YARD2_706942f.jpg

To garner additional revenue from commercial ship-repair business, the Cochin Port Trust is planning to lease out its land with water frontage for a ship and container repair complex at Willingdon Island. Considering the location advantage of the international East-West shipping route, Kochi holds a distinct advantage for ship-repair business, which has earned the label of an evergreen industry.

A report prepared by the consultants in this regard suggested that the port offers a good potential for vessels ranging from barges to VLCC's of bulk and liquid cargoes. The presence of Vallarpadam Container Transhipment Terminal, which is likely to achieve 2.5 million TEUs within three to four years, also has added to the advantage.

Besides, the existence of the public sector Cochin Shipyard Ltd, the largest ship-building facility in India, at the backyard offers significant advantage to the port in terms of presence of ancillary industries.

According to consultants, ships require periodic inspection and maintenance of hull and machinery. These binding requirements of commercial ships ensure a steady flow of business. This makes ship-repair revenue predictable with a reasonable degree — unlike in ship-building, which is cyclic in nature with its periodic ups and downs.

Singapore, Dubai and Colombo excel in this field. India has strong demand for ship-repair facilities arising out of a domestic fleet of 1,071 vessels (coastal 722 and 349 on overseas trade) amounting to 17 million DWT as on March 31. In addition there are a large number of foreign ships calling on Indian ports.

NOT TOO MUCH COMPETITION

The shipbuilding industry in India has made some rapid progress over the last decade but the same cannot be said of the ship-repair industry, which has remained almost stagnant over this period. Of the 35 ship-repair units licensed by the Director General of Shipping, only three or four yards are engaged in any significant ship-repair activity and only seven units have permanent approvals and licences.

Others are licensed for a specific period and for a specific activity — such as navigational equipment, communication equipment, hull structure — depending on infrastructure and other capabilities.

Senior port officials said that the port proposed to lease out 45 acres with 850 metres of water frontage facing the Mattanchery channel, including the existing dry dock and departmental ship repair facility, for setting up the venture.

The consultants took care to develop the new facility with minimum dislocation of the existing workshop and the repair yard, which is in operational condition.

The officials said that the port plans to lease out the facilities of the workshop and dry dock and allied facilities at Willingdon Island on a PPP basis on the model of operation of the Rajiv Gandhi Container Terminal by DP World.

The port trust's discussions with trade unions, advocating the cause of workers on the rolls at the old ship-repair facility, has ended on a positive note, prompting the port authority to move ahead with the plan. The expressions of interest in this regard will be invited shortly, the officials said.

DRY DOCK

The impending commissioning of the LNG terminal make Kochi a suitable location for a ship-repair facility that can service commercial vessels, offshore supply and service vessels, Coast Guard and Naval vessels, port service vessels and dredgers. It would be possible to dock 30-40 vessels annually under the normal circumstances considering a product mix of only underwater hull inspection, cleaning and painting of hull to special survey repairs.

Creating a dry dock suitable for 25,000 DWT vessels and 12,000 sq.m of supporting workshop area and an effluent treatment plant are part of the proposal for the new yard.

Referring to the container yard, the officials said that this is being planned to cater to the needs of various shipping lines calling at the Vallarpadam terminal and the Container Corporation of India, that has its container yard in an adjacent area.

The proposed container repair yard (4.85 acres) will be able to store 1,000 TEUs. The yard has been planned close to the repair workshop for convenience of work and minimal additional capex

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article2248158.ece?homepage=true

The Shipping Ministry is taking up a major initiative that could add to Kochi’s tourism potential. For the first time in Kochi’s history, a passenger-cum-cargo ferry service would soon be operated between Kochi and Male.

The decision was taken at a high-level delegation meeting between India and Maldives to improve bilateral maritime cooperation between the two countries last week. It has been provisionally agreed to initiate the preliminary work for a regular passenger-cum-cargo ferry between Kochi and Male. The ferry service, which would be preferably biweekly, would be run by a private operator but all facilities on either port of call will be made by the concerned ports.

Sources in the Shipping Ministry said as per the existing scenario the service would be commissioned in two months. “The Expression of Interest (EoI) for the ferry would be done by the Shipping Corporation of India. It has been cleared and the EoI would be floated by next week. Based on the response, the Request for Proposal (RFP) would be fine-tuned. Hopefully, we would be able to commission the service in two months,” sources said.

The high-level delegation meet led by Union Shipping Secretary K Mohandas and Mohamed Latheef, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Communication, Government of Maldives, also discussed various issues on bilateral cooperation. An agreement has also been made to promote leisure cruise service between India and Maldives.

“In fact, the delegation from India also considered the possibility of developing the regional port in Kulhundhuffushi in the upper north province of Maldives,” sources said.

The port and shipping officials are looking into the trading opportunity for Kochi and Maldives. It has been estimated that last year 25,000 Indians visited Maldives against 1.55 lakh Chinese. After 2008 there was a huge dip in tourists coming to Maldives. So, it’s an opportunity for it, too.

“Only 10 percentage of Maldives’ imports are from India. The 1 million tonne cargo import is through Tuticorin."

"The Cochin Port has started the concept of becoming a logistics hub. So, Maldives should become the first focal point for the Kochi Port. The Indian delegation has asked for trade break up data,” said sources.

:banana::banana::banana:

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/a-ferry-service-to-connect-kochi-and-male/168848-60-122.html

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00697/18KICONTAINER_697086f.jpg

With a steep increase in the number of container lorries passing through the city, posing hurdles to the free and safe movement of smaller vehicles, there is increasing demand that the containers be transported through the waterways.

Another demand from motorists is that the police should prevent the entry of container lorries into the city during peak hours.

Accidents involving container lorries too has increased.

Secretary of the Cochin Container Carrier Owners' Welfare Association P. Ramachandran said that the busy Kundannoor-Edappally-Kalamassery stretch could be declared free of container lorries if lorries coming from the southern and eastern parts were diverted from Kundannoor Junction to Wellingdon Island.

“They can then be transported to the Vallarpadam International Transshipment Terminal in ro-ro (roll in-roll off) barges. At present, only a few lorries are ferried up to Bolghatty Island in ro-ro vessels, from where they are taken via road up to Vallarpadam. This can be done away with if more such vessels are launched and a terminal is built at Vallarpadam to receive the ro-ro barges.”

The barges can also be used to transport empty containers back to Wellingdon Island. The inadequate patronage for the waterways has resulted in the seven huge cargo terminals built by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) between Kollam and Kottapuram remaining underutilised.

“The lorries carrying containers can be loaded into (and from) ro-ro vessels at IWAI's Maradu terminal,” an IWAI official said.

While welcoming the demand to introduce more ro-ro vessels, sources in the Cochin Port Trust said that a ro-ro terminal could not be built in Vallarpadam since it is a special economic zone.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/article2237919.ece

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/multimedia/dynamic/00706/BL19_TPT_YARD2_706942f.jpg

To garner additional revenue from commercial ship-repair business, the Cochin Port Trust is planning to lease out its land with water frontage for a ship and container repair complex at Willingdon Island. Considering the location advantage of the international East-West shipping route, Kochi holds a distinct advantage for ship-repair business, which has earned the label of an evergreen industry.

A report prepared by the consultants in this regard suggested that the port offers a good potential for vessels ranging from barges to VLCC's of bulk and liquid cargoes. The presence of Vallarpadam Container Transhipment Terminal, which is likely to achieve 2.5 million TEUs within three to four years, also has added to the advantage.

Besides, the existence of the public sector Cochin Shipyard Ltd, the largest ship-building facility in India, at the backyard offers significant advantage to the port in terms of presence of ancillary industries.

According to consultants, ships require periodic inspection and maintenance of hull and machinery. These binding requirements of commercial ships ensure a steady flow of business. This makes ship-repair revenue predictable with a reasonable degree — unlike in ship-building, which is cyclic in nature with its periodic ups and downs.

Singapore, Dubai and Colombo excel in this field. India has strong demand for ship-repair facilities arising out of a domestic fleet of 1,071 vessels (coastal 722 and 349 on overseas trade) amounting to 17 million DWT as on March 31. In addition there are a large number of foreign ships calling on Indian ports.

NOT TOO MUCH COMPETITION

The shipbuilding industry in India has made some rapid progress over the last decade but the same cannot be said of the ship-repair industry, which has remained almost stagnant over this period. Of the 35 ship-repair units licensed by the Director General of Shipping, only three or four yards are engaged in any significant ship-repair activity and only seven units have permanent approvals and licences.

Others are licensed for a specific period and for a specific activity — such as navigational equipment, communication equipment, hull structure — depending on infrastructure and other capabilities.

Senior port officials said that the port proposed to lease out 45 acres with 850 metres of water frontage facing the Mattanchery channel, including the existing dry dock and departmental ship repair facility, for setting up the venture.

The consultants took care to develop the new facility with minimum dislocation of the existing workshop and the repair yard, which is in operational condition.

The officials said that the port plans to lease out the facilities of the workshop and dry dock and allied facilities at Willingdon Island on a PPP basis on the model of operation of the Rajiv Gandhi Container Terminal by DP World.

The port trust's discussions with trade unions, advocating the cause of workers on the rolls at the old ship-repair facility, has ended on a positive note, prompting the port authority to move ahead with the plan. The expressions of interest in this regard will be invited shortly, the officials said.

DRY DOCK

The impending commissioning of the LNG terminal make Kochi a suitable location for a ship-repair facility that can service commercial vessels, offshore supply and service vessels, Coast Guard and Naval vessels, port service vessels and dredgers. It would be possible to dock 30-40 vessels annually under the normal circumstances considering a product mix of only underwater hull inspection, cleaning and painting of hull to special survey repairs.

Creating a dry dock suitable for 25,000 DWT vessels and 12,000 sq.m of supporting workshop area and an effluent treatment plant are part of the proposal for the new yard.

Referring to the container yard, the officials said that this is being planned to cater to the needs of various shipping lines calling at the Vallarpadam terminal and the Container Corporation of India, that has its container yard in an adjacent area.

The proposed container repair yard (4.85 acres) will be able to store 1,000 TEUs. The yard has been planned close to the repair workshop for convenience of work and minimal additional capex

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article2248158.ece?homepage=true

What happened to the proposed ship repair complex at Puthuvypeen?

v8McygDSIuY

Maersk Sembawang sailed smoothly into Vallarpadam. Headed by a Malayalee Captain Mr. Vinod who is from Kochi, the ship has more than 6000 containers on its board. After its assignment in Kochi, the ship will leave for Shangai tommorrow evening.

With this, Kochi became the first port in South India to host the largest container ship.:banana::banana:

^^ ഹോ ...എന്തരു കുളിര് ;)

xlGNzhqwVIk
Coverage of Maersk Sembawang starting from 07:26 mins
Courtesy:- Asianet News

Pointing to the fact that the Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) is full-fledged, Maersk Sembawang, the largest container vessel to visit India, called at the terminal on Thursday.

The ship Maersk Sembawang was received at the terminal by a big crowd which included, vice president and managing director of Dubai Port World, which operates the terminal, Anil Singh, DPW chief executive officer K K Krishnadas and Cochin Port Trust chairman Paul Antony. Captain of the ship Vinod Kumar, hails from Kochi.

The 319 m long Singaporeanflagged vessel has a capacity of 6,478 twenty feet equivalent units(TEUs).

The vessel coming from Europe through Suez Canal reached Kochi after a 10day journey. It is scheduled to go to China on Friday.

ICTT is equipped with the most modern facilities comprising four super postpanamax twin lift quay cranes, 15 rubber tired cranes, 600 m gantry cranes, 600 m of quay length and dedicated rail connectivity with hinterland destinations. Easy access through rail, road and sea helps the ICTT to connect all the key South Indian markets of Bangalore, Coimbatore, Tirupur and Salem.

Barging operation using the inland waterways is another feature of the terminal.With a fourlane highway dedicated to the terminal, direct rail connectivity and easy coastal connectivity are its other merits. The largest container ship to visit the South Indian ports was 208 m long, Maersk Kalamata. The largest ship which has visited the ICTT, Vallarpadam so far is a 247 m long mothership.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/largest-container-vessel-calls-at-kochi-port/169316-60-122.html

For moving to the second phase of the Vallarapadam International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT), relaxation in the cabotage law is a must, said Anil Singh, viceprincipal and managing director of Dubai Port World (DP World) which operates the terminal. Speaking to the media on Thursday after receiving Maesrk Sembawang, the largest container vessel to call at an Indian port, he said that the DP World had taken up the issue with the Government of India.

As big mother ships have started to call at ICTT, the cargo brought in here should be taken to other destinations within the country. As of now, the law allows only Indian ships to transport cargo within the country. The mother ships which call at the terminal require daughter ships to transport the cargo to various parts of the country, Anil Singh said. If their daughter ships are not allowed to transport the cargo to various destinations in the country, they will face hardships, he said.

There is a bad reputation that Kerala is a state with labour unrest, Singh said. Labour issues should not be allowed to cripple the functioning of the terminal, he said.

As of now, the terminal handles around 30,000 twentyfeet equivalent units(TEUs) a month. "Our target is to make it 80,000 TEUs a month. The ICTT can be converted into the number one port in India," Singh said. Cochin Port Trust chairman Paul Antony said that there wasn't any row between the ICTT authorities and the Customs Department.:banana:

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/ictt-dp-world-seeks-relaxation-of-law/169366-60-122.html

^^

This will silence certain "Zuper Men" :cheers:

Cochin Port Trust, soon will be converted into Cochin Port Limited, a corporate entity, with passing of India Ports Act 2011.... Great news!!!:banana::banana:

TheMinistry of Shipping has prepared a draft of a proposed new Ports Act amalgamating the existing two statutes governing the sector into a single piece of legislation and may soon send the proposal to Cabinet for approval.

After a thorough review, the Ministry has proposed a new Act, titled, "Indian Ports (Consolidated) Act, 2010", a circular on the website of the Shipping Ministry said.

If the proposed legislation is enacted, both the existing Indian Ports Act, 1908, as well asMajor Ports Act, 1963, will stand repealed, it said.

The proposal will go to the Cabinet for approval, following which it can be tabled in Parliament, a Shipping Ministry official said.

The ministry was working on merging the two existing Acts with a view to simplify and streamline ports regulation in India.

At present, the Indian Ports Act, 1908, applies to all ports in the country and the Major Ports Trust Act, 1963, applies solely to the 12 major ports. The Shipping Ministry wants one comprehensive Act to regulate the sector.

The ministry has also proposed rejigging theTariff Authority for Major Ports (TAMP). TAMP was constituted in April, 1997, to provide for an independent authority -- the Port Regulatory Authority -- to regulate all tariffs, both vessel-related and cargo-related, and rates for the lease of properties in respect of major port trusts and the private operators located therein.

The Major Ports Trust Act, 1963, was amended by the Port Laws (Amendment) Act, 1997, to constitute the TAMP. Minor ports are outside the ambit of TAMP. Once the major ports are converted from trusts into corporate entities, they go out of the ambit of the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963.

There are 12 major ports in the country -- Mumbai, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, Kolkata (with Haldia), Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Cochin, Paradip, New Mangalore, Marmagao, Ennore,Tuticorin and Kandla.

Trade through the sea route accounts for about 95 per cent of total Indian trade in terms of volume and 70 per cent in terms of value.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/shipping-min-ready-with-draft-of-proposed-new-ports-act/articleshow/9345818.cms

Cochin Port Trust is planning to issue bonds for future projects.

Cochin, Kolkata, Ennore and JNPT are seeking permission from the government to raise funds using tax-free bonds.

The state budget for the current year makes it possible for $1.11bn to be raised for port infrastructure using this tool.

The government has also revealed that some private port operators also want to issue bonds.

http://www.portstrategy.com/news101/asia/indian-ports-to-issue-bonds

New Shipping law proposed for public hearing. This law is important for Kochi, as it aims for corporatization of Kochi port along with other 12 Major ports as well as withdrawal of old Carbotage Law.

Based on a resolution in Maritime Development Council, the erstwhile Ministry of Surface Transport constituted the Committee headed by Shri C. Babu Rajeev the then Chairman, Cochin Port Trust in November, 1997, to review Indian Ports Act 1908 and Major Ports Act, 1963. This Committee comprised of a Maritime Law Expert, Representatives of Maritime States, Law Ministry, D.G. Shipping, Ministry of Shipping, Ports and MD, IPA.
The Terms of Reference of the Committee were:-

(i) To identify the provisions in the Statute which are no longer required due to changes in the maritime/port activities over the years
(ii) To identify the provisions which are in tune with the present needs of the ports to co-operate in a commercial climate and in harmony with the liberalization of the economy; and
(iii) To examine whether the existing statutes can be unified/simplified into a single statute. The Committee submitted its Report along with the recommendations to the Ministry in November, 1999.

The Report was circulated to the Maritime States to the relevant Stake Holders. The Report was also discussed with the Ports’ Chairmen in a meeting taken by the Secretary (Shipping), Joint Secretary(Ports) and other Sr. Officers of the Ministry at Goa in July, 2002.

A thorough review has been made and a new draft titled “Indian Ports Bill , 2011” has been formulated. In the proposed new legislation, various changes which inter-alia include provisions relating, ISPS Code, P.P. Act, 1971, Common Recruitment Rules for Heads of the Departments of Major Ports, overriding powers of Central Govt. in respect of port limits etc. have been incorporated. If this legislation is enacted, both the existing Indian Ports Act 1908 as well as Major Ports Act, 1963 will stand repealed.

The draft INDIAN PORTS BILL 2011 has been hosted at Ministry of Shipping’s website for seeking comments from all stakeholders/maritime states . It is requested that all stakeholders/maritime states may furnish their comments to the Ministry by 21st August , 2011 through fax(No. 23719456)/email(dspg@nic.in).

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=73509

Better-than-expected first quarter performance, improving profitability of its container rail business and ongoing capacity expansion of its CFSs (container freight stations) strengthen the prospects for Gateway Distriparks, a leading logistics service provider. Investors with a long-term perspective can consider buying the stock

GDL's CFS and container rail businesses are expected to drive the company's growth from hereon. In the CFS segment, the company operates two large stations at JNPT and one each at Chennai and Visakapatnam. Encouraged by the healthy growth seen in container volumes across major Indian ports, GDL is now looking to expand the capacities at its existing facilities as well as add new ones. It plans to double the capacity of its Chennai CFS (operating at near full capacity) and add a new CFS at Kochi.

The Kochi facility, expected to become fully operational by early 2012, is a joint venture (60:40) with Chakiat Agencies, which operates shipping lines (50,000 TEUs expected capacity). Located opposite the International Container Transhipment Terminal, the new CFS can be expected to attract significant volumes. The CFS could also benefit from captive volumes from its joint venture partner.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/features/investment-world/stock-insight/article2308778.ece

A video clip of Maersk Sembawang, the largest container vessel to visit India, called at the Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT).

BtL9Sx84n1g

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/7940/manoramavallapadamicttk.png

CC:- Manorama News

The Chamber of Commerce and Industrialists congratulate CPT's active involvement in reduction of fares and better transparency

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The Vallarpadam ICTT officials and Management decided to look into all complaints raised by various stakeholders regarding ICTT in a time bound manner.

As the ICTT falls into Cochin Special Economic Zone- CSEZ, the CSEZ Development Commissioner C.J Mathew presided the open-house for sorting out all issues.

The exporters and Chambers of commerce/industries pointed out the main issue of narrow roads with a railway crossbar near the entrance, which the authorities assured to sort out at the earilest. The exporters argued the need for introduction of direct RO-RO to the ICTT and increased services.

CPT plans Free Trade Warehousing Zone

The Cochin Port Trust (CPT), which is exploring new avenues to augment business, is looking at the possibility of setting up a Free Trade Warehousing Zone (FTWZ) on 102 acres of land located south of the Willingdon Island.

Still at a tentative stage, the FTWZ is among several propositions in a report by a consultant appointed by the CPT to draw up a master plan for the development of the port area after container operations were shifted to the Vallarpadam Island.

CPT sources told The Hindu on Thursday that the FTWZ was planned to be developed in a Special Economic Zone format and that it would be one of the ingredients in a comprehensive plan to create in Kochi a maritime business hub, offering the entire range of services.

A logistics hub, multi-purpose liquid terminal, bunkering, and ship repair are among the other activities being explored by the Port authority here. The port's consultant pointed out that the Foreign Trade Policy 2004-09 had highlighted the need to set up FTWZs to “create trade-related infrastructure.” They are conceived as international trade hubs and links in global logistics and supply chains serving both India and the world.

“The key differentiator between an FTWZ and a standard warehouse is the unique product offering wherein the benefits of a free zone are integrated with professionally handled, high quality physical infrastructure,” said the report.

Duty deferment, local and service tax exemption, 100 per cent income-tax exemption for developers and users of the zone, and re-export without duty implication are some of the key advantages of setting up an FTWZ.

The well-established seafood, cashew, and spices export businesses; emerging areas like import of furniture into Kerala from centres in Malaysia, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, and Brazil; and growing ties with African countries involving businesses in tea, timber, crude, etc. are other encouraging aspects as far as the FTWZ concept is concerned.

Another encouraging feature is that small and mid-sized enterprises are now turning more and more to ocean logistics as a cheaper alternative.

In setting up such a facility, Kochi will leverage its location advantage, lying on the Europe-Australia-Far East sea route. The availability of land (102 acres) and an industrial cluster being served by the Kochi port and India's first international container transshipment terminal are the other advantages Kochi enjoys in setting up an FTWZ.

The Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/business/article2325086.ece)

Shipping Ministry has proposed upgrading the bi-weekly ferry service between Male and Kochi to a daily service
:banana::banana:
The original proposal involved bi-weekly service between the two destinations. Shipping secretary K Mohandas said, “ We are looking at the proposal and could introduce it soon, depending on availability of passenger carriers to the region.”

The proposal to introduce the service was partly in view of phenomenal success of the daily ferry service between Tuticorin and Colombo launched in June this year. The proposed service to Male has been a long pending demand from travelers between coastal Kerala and Maldives.

Presently tourist traffic between the two destinations is served only by air. The ferry proposal was intended to bring down the travel cost between the nations. Presently Maldivian nationals visit India for medical treatment. Currently, only about 25000 Indians visit Maldives as opposed to 1.55 lakh Chinese.

But one of the issues was setting up receiving and exit terminals at the ports. Mohandas, initially, the Vallarpadom terminal in Kochy Port Trust would serve the purpose, though it would have to be upgraded to meet the increase in traffic.

Further there were also proposals for enhancing the frequency of passenger shipping traffic between, Kolkotta, Vishakapattnam, Chennai and Port Blair corridors. Chennai and Port Blair are currently served by a bi weekly service by five vessels. The Ministry plans to raise the frequency of the vessels between the two destinations. “ We could also think of a cruise liner service if there are willing operators,” he added.

There has also been an increase in demand for vessel capacity for travel between coastal cities. Travel between Mumbai and Goa is already served ship. The MoS would consider enhancing the frequency of these vessels. In addition in view of the tourism passenger traffic the government was also likely to permit operation of cruise liner services in the corridor. “Nothing is firm on the proposal, but we could consider it,” Mohandas said.

More destinations could also be included for movement of passenger traffic. This he said would help mitigate congestion on the roads and the railways. But all coastal shipping would have to be served only by domestic flagged vessels, he said.

http://www.mydigitalfc.com/news/shipping-ministry-upgrade-ferry-service-between-male-and-kochi-823

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/multimedia/dynamic/00746/bl31_realty_sajeev__746325e.jpg

In a bid to revive the tile industry in Kerala, a host of maritime organisations has come up with a viable solution. The industry had been in dire straits for quite a few years, for want of clay, its main raw material. Scientific investigations have revealed that the massive quantity of dredged silt from the seabed of the Kochi Port channels is a viable replacement for clay used in the manufacture of tiles, bricks and similar products.

The Port's Grab Dredger Nehru Shatabdi alone dredges and moves nearly 8,000 cubic metres of dredged silt . A unique partnership of the Kochi Port, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Kochi-based Lots Shipping and the tile industries of Kerala, in association with a couple of technical entrepreneurs, are proceeding with the project, which may give a fresh lease of life to the ailing tile industry.

TRANSPORT FACILITY

The IWAI has suitable terminals close to tile factories and brick kilns where the clay can be stored and delivered to the end-user. Lots Shipping is providing suitable barges to take the clay from the dredger to the terminals.

Since the ban on the mining of clay from paddy fields and lagoons due to environmental concerns in the State, the tile factories had been facing acute raw material shortage.

Some of them tried to bring clay from Tamil Nadu by trucks. However, this was not a viable alternative due to the high cost of transportation. This led to the imminent closure of many units, leading to significant job losses.

The Government was appraised of the matter and tried to come up with solutions to sustain the industry. The daily requirement of clay by the industry is approximately 5,000 cubic metres.

Technical entrepreneurs

The technical entrepreneurs, who mooted the project, included Mr Anil Kumar Thoppil of Greencott Marine Services Pvt.

The first consignment of 450 tonnes of clay was loaded onto Lots Shipping's barge MB Meenachil a few days ago and discharged at Edayar from the IWAI terminal.

Mr Renjit Nelluvelil, CEO, Lots Shipping, said that the project will go a long way in sustaining a traditional industry such as tile manufacture, and the employment potential it offers.

A tiled roof is far superior to a concrete roof both aesthetically and economically.

Moreover, alternative use of dredged silt, which is presently being dumped in the sea, stops any further degradation of lakes and paddy fields due to illicit mining of clay.

It also improves the dredging efficiency of the dredger, as the time and fuel spent in travelling to the ‘spoil ground' at sea is eliminated.

This project will be a success if proper support is received from various agencies, for making the last stretch on NW-3 to the Kodungaloor terminal navigable, so that the ‘last mile' by trucks to the end-user is further shortened, he said.

The tile and brick industry is clustered in and around Thrissur district, which is closer to the IWAI Kodungaloor Terminal.

Political support and possible subsidy are also needed for the long-term success of the project, he added.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-investmentworld/article2331606.ece

India Gateway Terminal - DP World Cochin

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Fillip to cruise terminal project
The Cochin Port Trust, which formerly proposed the setting up of a state-of-the-art cruise terminal, is reworking the project to develop the facility in a phased manner, avoiding rapid-fire heavy investments.

Sources told The Hindu here that the Port Trust, which had applied for a grant of Rs.7 crore from the Union Tourism Ministry, planned to convert 15,000 sq. ft. of space at the multi-purpose BTP jetty area into a swanky cruise ship handling facility.

The new move comes after the Chennai-based Amet Cruises (http://ametcruises.com/) proposed using Kochi as home port for its operations.

The Port authority here has promised substantial discount in port-related charges for the home porting facility. Sources said up to four sailings a week were expected once Amet cruises launched its services using Kochi as its base.

International luxury line operator AIDA Cruises is also reported to have expressed its interest in using Kochi as a turnaround port.

While investment in a cruise terminal may not be paying in itself for the Port Trust, its potential for development of tourism industry in the State is immense, sources pointed out.

The Port Trust is also preparing to invite expression of interest for building a shopping arcade at the proposed cruise terminal.

A public plaza and restaurants, providing a gist of Kerala to the visitors, are part of the original plan for the international cruise terminal. Sixty-thousand sq. ft. area of covered space was established in 2009 at the BTP jetty to receive the Volvo Ocean Race. Converting a portion of this space would be cost-effective for the Port authority.

There is also a plan to use the cruise terminal facilities as a convention centre during the lean season, which will bring in some revenue for the Port Trust.

The Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-sports/article2345473.ece)

Container Terminal Views

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Night View from Container road

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Awesome pics Malayaali. :applause:

Awesome pics Malayaali. :applause:

Thanks Sai :)

What a picture clarity and perfection!!! Superb... No further words to express it:banana:

Along with the wonderful pics of Malayaali, I am posting another happy news

The government is working on strategies to promote cruise tourism.

The tourism ministry has lined up several schemes for infrastructure development including a permanent terminal for liners at five ports — Mumbai, Goa, Chennai, Mangalore and Kochi.

“Cruise liners are great crowd pullers world over. We just have to promote this form of tourism and develop infrastructure for the industry. Cruise tourism will also be part of our Incredible India campaign. A standalone terminal just for cruise liners will make things easier not only for luxury liners but also its passengers. The ministry of shipping is also involved and plans are being formulated to develop the terminal,” said a senior official of the tourism ministry.

“We are providing assistance for products and infrastructure development for destinations and circuits and help for large revenue generating projects,” added the official.

In June 2008, the government approved the Cruise Shipping Policy, which includes development of facilities at ports and connectivity through rail, road and air. It is also taking efforts to ensure speedy completion of immigration formalities and hassle-free custom clearance.

An inter-ministerial steering committee with the shipping secretary as the chairman was set up in June 2010.

“On the promotion side, we are participating in cruise liner conventions, taking advice from major players in the industry and working on marketing strategies so that it attracts tourists and yields revenues,” the official said.

With demand for cruise tourism on the rise, private operators will increase services to Maldives and Lakshadweep from Kochi.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/images/logo_new.gif (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110815/jsp/business/story_14379956.jsp)

Cruise tourism is back in Kochi, with the country’s first cruise liner AMET Cruises launching its operations from the first week of October. The M V AMET Majesty will initially set sail from Kochi to Maldives, Lakshwadeep and also undertake a cruise on the high sea.

Every week, the M V AMET Majesty would sail from Kochi to Maldives (four nights), Kochi-Lakshadweep (two nights) and also operate one high-sea trip during the night for those who want to try out something new for holidaying, AMET Shipping India Private Ltd managing director and CEO Bharathi told reporters here.

He said the AMET cruise had introduced a new format of holiday, recreation and entertainment in the country. “Only foreign cruise liners used to visit the ports that always remained the prerogative of the rich. With the rightly priced packages, AMET cruise brings cruise tourism options within the reach of the urban middle class,’’ he said. The lowest price would be around `5,000 per person for a night and port charges. In the case of advance bookings, special packages would be offered, he said. Noting that inquiries have already started pouring, Bharathi said four wedding ceremonies would take place in the cruise in January.

He said they were planning to operate the cruise liner throughout the year. ‘’The cruise will operate in the west coast from October to March and in the east coast from April to September.

The cruise will have dance floor, disco casinos, show lounges bars, swimming pool, barbeque, conference room and kids’ zone.

The cruise also has event floor for business meets, seminars, trade shows, anniversaries and social gatherings. It comes with luxurious state rooms, suites and stag cabins.

Amet Shipping India Private Ltd chairman J Ramachandran said the cruise would also have a dual purpose of training the cadets in the M V Amet Majesty.

He also said that the Cochin Port Trust had extended full support for the operations of AMET cruise.

http://static.ibnlive.in.com/ibnlive/pix/header/ibn_logo.jpg ( http://ibnlive.in.com/news/cruising-days-are-back-in-kochi/175993-60-122.html)

I sure hope they will do some actual Marketing, and Selling, unlike the Loosers Cruise that did a pathetic show previously.

I sure hope they will do some actual Marketing, and Selling, unlike the Loosers Cruise that did a pathetic show previously.

I think, an Indian company will know the Indian pulse more better than foreigners... Rs 5000 per night seems to be a justifiable amount, which many Indians could afford. Cruiser is a novel experience, which most of the Asians are NOT ACCUSTOMED. Perhaps the only section of Asians who might be have some experience in this would be Singaporeans and Malaysians. Even cash rich Arabs or Chinese donot have any experience in this. Hence it would take ample lot of time for Indians for used to such a system.

I feel, at current rates, lot of techies, not just for Kerala alone, but from other IT hubs like Bangalore etc would get attract and use it. It would offer a prefect weekend getaways. And Kochi's business community also can be a huge potential customer base. Currently most of them have less options and night parties are not suitable for them. Cruises may be a prefect option.

I believe, Colombo-Kochi and in future Kochi-Dubai would add more sense than Maldives. Meantime I also have extreme concerns for safety of such cruises, when reports indicate pirates reaching almost near to Kochi High seas.

Likee in India, Dubai is on Cruise wave. A new Dubai based cruise services is going to start, connecting Dubai with various ports in India, which includes Kochi.



Dubai’s popularity as a cruise destination continues to grow, judging by the number of operators that have started to include the city as a port of call since the opening of the Dubai Cruise Terminal in 2010.

Jo Rzymowska, Royal Caribbean’s general manager, says: “Dubai is really starting to boom on the cruising map - more than 325,000 people passed through the Cruise Terminal in 2010 and this is set to increase in 2011.”

Royal Caribbean is one of two cruise lines that now home-port in Dubai, and a seven-night Dubai fly/cruise starts from as little as £987pp (about R11 000) on Brilliance of the Seas.

The ship will also sail a 12-night Dubai and India fly/cruise that calls at Mumbai, Goa, Mangalore, Cochin and Muscat in Oman.

Jo adds: “Brilliance of the Seas is returning to Dubai in November 2011, two months earlier than her season in 2010, due to a really successful response to the Middle East cruises from UK travellers.”

Brilliance of the Seas has 13 decks, and passengers can knock themselves into shape in the state-of-the-art fitness centre before tackling the mini-golf course or scaling the rock-climbing wall.

If relaxing is your thing, head to the health and beauty spa, which features a solarium with a retractable glass roof and cascading waterfalls. There are also five different eating places to choose from, including the mouth-watering Italian restaurant, Portofino.

http://www.iol.co.za/travel/travel-news/dubai-cruising-on-a-wave-1.1118890

The new Customer Facilitation Centre set up by the Cochin Port Trust was inaugurated by Vijay Kalsi, Commissioner of Customs, Kochi, here on Wednesday. Port Trust chairman Paul Antony presided over the function.

Located at the ground floor of the main administrative block of the Port Trust, the centre will serve as a single point contact to provide customers with authentic guidance on different services from various divisions of the Port Trust, port authorities said.

The facilitation centre has conference kiosks which enable officials from different divisions to have interaction with customers and attend to their queries on varied aspects of port services.

The centre will provide first hand information to investors on various projects, promoted by the port management in Wilingdon Island and at Vallarpadam.

Suggestions and complaints from the customers will be accepted at the centre. The centre is connected to the ERP of the Port Trust and will provide real time response to business queries of customers. It will serve as a well-monitored grievance redressal facility for the public.

Senior officials of the port are manning the facility to ensure authentic interaction. The telephone number at the facilitation centre is 0484 2666871-2235 (extension).

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/customer-facilitation-centre-inaugurated/176615-60-122.html

The ministry of shipping is planning special purpose vehicles (SPVs) to execute seven big-size ports which are likely to be allowed to raise money from the market.

The government has envisaged setting up of seven major ports by 2017 at an estimated investment of Rs 35,000 crore.

"These seven ports would be corporatised...just like the Ennore Port... they can raise funds on their own...initially the (Shipping) Ministry can pump in some money or help them with funds though," a ministry official said.

The ministry has asked the maritime states to offer land. Approximately Rs 5,000 crore is incurred for setting up a port project.

"We have requested maritime states to come forward and offer land to develop these big-size ports," another official said.

Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat are expected to get one port project each, which would be executed by the SPVs.

At present there are 12 major and 176 minor ports in the country.
The 12 major ports are Mumbai, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, Kolkata (with Haldia), Chennai, Visakhapatanam, Kochi, Paradip, New Mangalore, Marmagao, Ennore, Tuticorin and Kandla.

Andhra Pradesh government is believed to have shortlisted two sites for setting up a major port in the state.

The Shipping Ministry plans to create a port capacity of around 3,200 million tonnes (MT) to handle the expected traffic of about 2,500 MT by 2020. About 90% by volume and 70% by value of the country's international trade is carried through maritime transport.

http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/shipping-ministry-plans-7-spvs-to-set7-major-ports_578219.html

Length of Berth increased, Increased draft near berth
Container Terminal gradually shifting gears! :banana:

11m draft achieved near berth. Dredging in progress to achieve 16m carriageway draft.

Increased berth length will help in accommodating 2 large vessels at a time.

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cc: Manorama

450 metres of ICTT quay made operational: CPT
The Cochin Port Trust on Friday announced that 450 metres of quay at the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) Vallarpadam have been made operational.
With the fast-progressing dredging operations at ICTT, an 11-metre draft along an additional length of 100 metre of berth length has been achieved which has made 450 metres of the quay operational. m v Seaways Venture and mv CMA CGM Telopea, a mainliner of CMA CGM Shipping Line berthed on the extended berth at ICTT on August 18.
Cochin Port Trust had declared a draft of 13 metre on 350 metre of berth length at the ICTT at the time of commissioning in February.
Port Trust chairman Paul Antony said that dredging was in progress and the deep draft of 19.5 metres is expected to be achieved soon.

Indian Express (http://expressbuzz.com/cities/kochi/450-metres-of-ICTT-quay-made-operational-CPT/305874.html)

That is a mistake i guess! :)

Cochin port heading for a crisis.
Key points
*Vallarpadom fails to meet its objective. The terminal could handle only 1, 36, 734 TEU containers instead of the envisaged 7.75 lakhs TEU.
*CPT was expecting a revenue of Rs.109.91 Crores, which won't be achieved this fiscal, where as the annual dredging cost is Rs 125 Crores.
*CPT has written to the Ministry of Shipping to amend the Cabotage laws to make it sustainable.

News courtesy: Mathrubhumi
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Dredging from Vallapardam in progression. The berth now reached at 11 meters depth, allowing more bigger ships... Now at a time, 2 large container ships can be berthed.

Kochi Port's mega plans.....



Having failed to rope in its neighbouring public sector shipyard, the Cochin Port Trust has decided to go in for a global tender to choose a partner for its proposed ship repair yard.

The project is part of a master plan being prepared by the port to redevelop its water front and other facilities, which became virtually idle following the commissioning of the Vallarpadam Container terminal.

The port trust will provide 850 m of water front at Mattancheri channel and 45 acres of adjoining land for the project.

This is in addition to the existing workshop and other facilities.

Absorbing employees

One of the conditions is that the bidder should absorb around 300 employees of the port's existing ship repair workshop.

Cochin Shipyard Ltd, which is looking for opportunity to expand its ship repair facility, had initially evinced interest in the project.

However, it backed out when insisted that it should retain all the existing employees.

CSL backing out

It is learnt that CSL, said to be the ideal party to take up the facility, was prepared to absorb only a small number of employees and that was not acceptable to the unions.

Though, both the port and the shipyard are under the Union Shipping Ministry, efforts to persuade CSL to reconsider its decision did not succeed, said a port official.

Mr Paul Antony, Chairman, Cochin Port Trust, told Business Line that the Board has taken an in- principal decision to go in for a global tender.

He said details of the project will be finalised once the consultant submits the final report.

Growth potential

The repair yard will have tremendous potential as there is not enough dry docking facility in the country.

Proximity to Vallarpadam

Besides, it is close to the Vallarpadam international container terminal and ships calling at the port can also take advantage of the repair facility.

Ppp route

Since there is enough land available, the bidder can create a modern yard with ship-lift facility which will enable repair of a number of ships at the same time, said Mr Antony.

The project will be implemented on the public-private partnership model, but in the lines of DP World taking over the Rajiv Gandhi Terminal before setting up the Vallarpadam terminal.

Bulk cargo terminal

The port trust is also working out plans to covert the container berths at the Wellington Island (which become idle following the shifting of the container terminal to Vallapadam) into a bulk cargo terminal

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/bl_logo_h55.gif (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-logistics/article2373988.ece)

Hehe:banana:

This issue is a closed chapter and please don't reopen and we are not interested in any provoked fights.... Please utilize your energy for sharing your visions/dreams and progress of the city, rather involving in petty fights.

Requesting mods to kindly clear the above post

Shipping holds potential for State: Babu
The State government is working on a plan to develop coastal shipping into a vibrant economic activity in the State, Minister for Ports K. Babu has said.

In a communication issued by his office on Saturday, Mr. Babu said the State had a great potential for coastal shipping. The State had one major port in Kochi and 17 minor ports and its coast was close to the international shipping route. So, the State's ports could play a vital role in the nation's overall shipping activity.

Goods movement through the Kochi port increased by 12.52 per cent (over the previous year's figure) to touch 174.29 lakh tonnes. International cargo traffic increased by 11.08 per cent and cargo traffic within the country by 15.63 per cent through this port this year. This trend indicated the emerging significance of shipping in Kerala. If the State could develop the minor ports and link them using small cargo vessels, it could indeed grow into a vibrant economic activity.

The State also had a network of inland waterways, over 1,647 km in length. These waterways connected all the industrial and commercial centres in the State. A major portion of the cargo movement now happening along the roads could be routed along the waterways if the waterways could be developed and maintained. The coastal shipping project the government was drawing up would target, in the first stage, the diversion of at least 20 per cent of the total cargo movement now happening along the State's roads through the waterways.

Mr. Babu said matters related to the proposed international container transhipment port at Vizhinjam were progressing and work on the project would commence by 2012. Once this port was commissioned, Kerala would be a major shipping hub in the country. Kerala had been a maritime State in early times and it held the promise of becoming a modern maritime State, he said.

The Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/article2378343.ece)

I wonder what made CSL to back out?:ohno:
Kochi Port's mega plans.....

I wonder what made CSL to back out?:ohno:

Unions are always an issue for CPT.... With shifting to ICTT, most of the unions are kept away and they are always troublesome..... Perhaps maybe not as troublesome in past.

A professional organization like CSL, having more disciplined unions/workforce cannot anyway absorb these kind of unruly workforce.

CSL is also expanding for second facility in Kochi. Naturally there will be better competition.

Editorial by Mathrubhumi about the stoopid Cabotage Law hurting Vallarpadam ICTT

വല്ലാര്*പാടം: നിയമം ഇളവ് ചെയ്യണം (http://www.mathrubhumi.com/online/malayalam/news/story/1120813/2011-08-21/kerala)

ഏറെ പ്രതീക്ഷകളോടെ ആരംഭിച്ച വല്ലാര്*പാടം കണ്ടെയ്*നര്* തുറമുഖത്തെ ചരക്കുനീക്കം ഇപ്പോഴും നിയമപ്രശ്*നങ്ങളുടെ പേരില്* ബാലാരിഷ്ടതകള്* മൂലം തടസ്സപ്പെട്ടുകിടക്കുകയാണ്. ഇതുമൂലം കൊച്ചി തുറമുഖം കടുത്ത സാമ്പത്തിക പ്രതിസന്ധിയെ നേരിടുന്നു. കൊളംബോ കണ്ടെയ്*നര്* ടെര്*മിനലിനേക്കാള്* അന്തര്*ദേശീയ കപ്പല്*ചാലിനോട് അടുത്ത് കിടക്കുന്നുവെന്നത് കൊച്ചിക്ക് തികച്ചും അനുകൂലമായ ഘടകമാണ്. എന്നാല്* ഈ മെച്ചം ഒട്ടും പ്രയോജനപ്പെടുത്താനാവാത്ത അവസ്ഥയിലാണ് ഇപ്പോള്* ഇവിടത്തെ കണ്ടെയ്*നര്* ടെര്*മിനല്*. രാജ്യത്തെ തുറമുഖങ്ങളില്* നിലനില്*ക്കുന്ന കബോട്ടാഷ് നിയമമാണ് കൊച്ചിക്ക് ദോഷം ചെയ്യുന്നത്. കണ്ടെയ്*നര്* ടെര്*മിനലിന്റെ കാര്യത്തിലെങ്കിലും ഈ നിയമത്തില്* ഇളവ് അത്യാവശ്യമാണ്. നിയമം ഇളവ് ചെയ്തില്ലെങ്കില്* ഇന്ത്യയിലെ ആദ്യത്തെ ഈ കണ്ടെയ്*നര്* ട്രാന്*സ്ഷിപ്പ്*മെന്റ് ടെര്*മിനല്* നിഷ്ഫലമായിപ്പോവുമെന്ന് ഇതേപ്പറ്റി പഠിച്ച പാര്*ലമെന്ററി സമിതി കേന്ദ്രസര്*ക്കാറിന് റിപ്പോര്*ട്ട് നല്*കിയിട്ടുണ്ട്. സീതാറാം യെച്ചൂരി അധ്യക്ഷനായ സമിതിയുടെ ശുപാര്*ശ നടപ്പാക്കാന്* കേന്ദ്രസര്*ക്കാര്* ഇനിയും വൈകിക്കരുത്. സംസ്ഥാനസര്*ക്കാറും കേരളത്തിലെ എം.പി.മാരും ഇക്കാര്യത്തില്* ആവശ്യമായ സമ്മര്*ദം ചെലുത്തണം. വല്ലാര്*പാടത്ത് ഇറക്കുന്ന കണ്ടെയ്*നറുകള്* ഇന്ത്യയിലെ മറ്റ് തുറമുഖങ്ങളിലേക്ക് ഇന്ത്യന്* കമ്പനികളുടെ കപ്പലുകളില്* മാത്രമേ കൊണ്ടുപോകാവൂ എന്ന് കബോട്ടാഷ് നിയമം വ്യവസ്ഥ ചെയ്യുന്നു. ഇവിടെ ഇറക്കുന്ന കണ്ടെയ്*നറുകളുടെ ആഭ്യന്തരനീക്കത്തിന് വിദേശകപ്പലുകള്* ഉപയോഗിക്കരുതെന്ന് ചുരുക്കം. രാജ്യത്തെ കപ്പല്* വ്യവസായത്തിന്റെ വളര്*ച്ചയ്ക്കുവേണ്ടിയുള്ളതാവാം ഈ നിയമവ്യവസ്ഥ. എന്നാല്* അത്തരത്തില്* ഇവിടെയിറക്കുന്ന കണ്ടെയ്*നറുകള്* നീക്കാന്* ആവശ്യമായത്ര ചെറുകപ്പലുകള്* ഇവിടെയില്ലെന്നതാണ് പ്രശ്*നം സൃഷ്ടിക്കുന്നത്. അതിനാല്* കണ്ടെയ്*നറുകള്* ഇന്ത്യയിലെ മറ്റ് തുറമുഖങ്ങളിലേക്ക് നീക്കാനാകാതെ ഇവിടെ കെട്ടിക്കിടക്കുകയാണ്. കാലതാമസവും ധനനഷ്ടവും ഫലം. ഈ വിഷമതകള്* സഹിച്ച് വ്യവസായികള്* ഏറെക്കാലം ഇവിടെത്തന്നെയെത്തുമെന്ന് കരുതാനാവില്ല.

വല്ലാര്*പാടത്ത് അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര കണ്ടെയ്്*നര്* ടെര്*മിനല്* തുടങ്ങുമ്പോള്* രണ്ട് അനുകൂലഘടകങ്ങളാണ് ഉയര്*ത്തിക്കാട്ടിയിരുന്നത്. ഒന്ന്, സമയലാഭമാണ്. രണ്ടാമത്തേത് ശ്രീലങ്കയില്* നിന്ന് കണ്ടെയ്*നര്* ഇവിടം വരെയെത്തിക്കുന്നതിന് വരുന്ന അധികച്ചെലവ് ഒഴിവാകുമെന്നതും.കൊളംബോയില്* ഇറക്കി ഇന്ത്യയിലെ തുറമുഖങ്ങളില്* കണ്ടെയ്*നറുകള്* എത്തിക്കാന്* ഏഴ് മുതല്* പത്ത് ദിവസം വരെയെടുക്കും. എന്നാല്* കൊച്ചിയില്* ഇറക്കുന്ന കണ്ടെയ്*നറുകള്* ഇത്തരത്തില്* ആഭ്യന്തരമായി മറ്റ് തുറമുഖങ്ങളില്* എത്തിക്കാന്* മൂന്നോ നാലോ ദിവസം മതിയാകും. ഇന്ത്യന്* കമ്പനികളുടെ ഫീഡര്* കപ്പലുകള്* വേണ്ടത്രയില്ലാത്തതിനാല്* ഇതിന് കാലതാമസം വരികയാണ്. ഇരുപത് ദിവസം വരെ കണ്ടെയ്*നറുകള്* ഇവിടെ ഇടേണ്ടിവരുന്നുണ്ട്. ഈ കാലതാമസം മൂലമുള്ള വിഷമതകള്* പ്രധാനപ്രശ്*നമാണ്. ഇതിന് വന്*തുക വാടകയിനത്തില്* വല്ലാര്*പാടത്ത് നല്*കേണ്ടിവരുന്നതാകട്ടെ വന്* സാമ്പത്തികബാധ്യതയും ഉണ്ടാക്കുന്നു. ഈ രണ്ട് കാരണങ്ങളാല്* ചരക്കുനീക്കത്തിന്റെ കാര്യത്തില്* കൂടുതല്* കപ്പലുകള്* കൊച്ചിയെ ഒഴിവാക്കി കൊളംബോയെ ആശ്രയിക്കുന്നതായാണ് സൂചന.

വല്ലാര്*പാടത്തുനിന്ന് പ്രതിവര്*ഷം 110 കോടി രൂപയെങ്കിലും വരുമാനമുണ്ടാകുമെന്നാണ് കൊച്ചി തുറമുഖട്രസ്റ്റ് കണക്കുകൂട്ടിയത്. എന്നാല്* കഴിഞ്ഞ ആറുമാസക്കാലയളവില്* ചരക്കുനീക്കം പ്രതീക്ഷിച്ചതിന്റെ മൂന്നിലൊന്നുപോലും വന്നില്ലെന്ന് കണക്കുകള്* വ്യക്തമാക്കുന്നു. ഒരുവര്*ഷം 7.75 ലക്ഷം ചെറിയ കണ്ടെയ്*നറുകള്* വല്ലാര്*പാടത്ത് കൈകാര്യം ചെയ്യാനാവുമെന്നാണ് കണക്കാക്കിയിരുന്നത്. എന്നാല്* ആറുമാസംകൊണ്ട് ഇത്തരം 1.36 ലക്ഷം കണ്ടെയ്*നറുകള്* മാത്രമേ ഇവിടെ കൈകാര്യംചെയ്യാന്* സാധിച്ചിട്ടുള്ളൂ. ഇറക്കിയ കണ്ടെയ്*നറുകള്* യഥാസമയം ലക്ഷ്യസ്ഥാനങ്ങളില്* എത്തിക്കുന്നതില്* വന്ന വീഴ്ചയാണ് ഇതിന് പ്രധാന കാരണമായി ചൂണ്ടിക്കാണിക്കപ്പെടുന്നത്. സംസ്ഥാനസര്*ക്കാറിനും മുഖ്യമന്ത്രിക്കും പ്രശ്*നത്തിന്റെ ഗൗരവം ബോധ്യപ്പെട്ടിട്ടുണ്ട്. നിയമത്തില്* ഇളവിനായി മുഖ്യമന്ത്രി പ്രധാനമന്ത്രിയെ കാണാനും ഉദ്ദേശിക്കുന്നുണ്ട്. പ്രതിപക്ഷം ഉള്*പ്പെടെ എല്ലാ കക്ഷികളും ഉള്*പ്പെട്ട പാര്*ലമെന്ററി സമിതിക്കും ഇതേ അഭിപ്രായമാണ്. എന്നിരിക്കെ ഇക്കാര്യത്തില്* ഇനി കാലതാമസമുണ്ടാകരുത്.

Even at the time Dr. Babu Paul was planning the ICTT, this issue of Cabotage is known. Made by the British to thwart the industry of the colonies, this law is one of the remaining vestiges of the protected economy. It should have been repealed long time ago.

The ICTT is not 'the brother-in-law's company' for the shipping giants. They will come only if it makes business sense. they have no reason to come in, if they can't get the containers to the customer on time.

http://www.dredgingtoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/ICTT-Quay-Becomes-Operational.jpg

The Cochin Port Trust on Friday announced that 450 metres of quay at the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) Vallarpadam have been made operational.

With the fast-progressing dredging operations at ICTT, an 11-metre draft along an additional length of 100 metre of berth length has been achieved which has made 450 metres of the quay operational. m v Seaways Venture and mv CMA CGM Telopea, a mainliner of CMA CGM Shipping Line berthed on the extended berth at ICTT on August 18.

Cochin Port Trust had declared a draft of 13 metre on 350 metre of berth length at the ICTT at the time of commissioning in February.

Port Trust chairman Paul Antony said that dredging was in progress and the deep draft of 19.5 metres is expected to be achieved soon.

http://www.dredgingtoday.com/2011/08/21/india-ictt-quay-becomes-operational/

It seems, the CPT has gone intensive PR Campaign via media, to highlight the urgency of withdrawal of colonial Cabotage Law!!!

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From his glass-panelled cabin on the top floor of the Cochin Port office building, Mr Paul Antony gets a clear view of the Vallarpadam container terminal on the other side of the waterfront. Anyone would be at ease at such a tranquil spot surrounded by the calm waters of the Kochi harbour, but not Mr Antony.

He took over as Chairman of the port soon after the terminal was commissioned last February.

Set up and operated by DP World, a Dubai government-owned company, on a 30-year lease, Vallarpadam is expected to be the largest transhipment hub in the country.

As part of the agreement, DP World had been operating the Cochin Port's Rajiv Gandhi container terminal till the commissioning of Vallarpadam.

With the shifting of the container handling business now to Vallarpadam, the Cochin port has left with an idle terminal and more than 350 workers.

Mr Antony's major task is now to find cargo for this terminal and job for these workers. The contract with DP World does not allow Cochin Port to operate containers berths till Vallarpdam achieves a cargo throughput of 2.5 million TEUs. This could take at least five years.

“We plan to redevelop the port on the basis of a master plan being prepared by our consultant,” said Mr Antony in a conversation with Business Line.

A civil servant from the Kerala cadre, Mr Antony is not a novice at port operations. He was the Development Commissioner of the Cochin Special Economic Zone for five years from 2000 and in that capacity he was also a trustee of the Cochin Port Trust.

Yet, at Cochin port, employees are heavily unionised and the port management cannot do anything without the union's consent. This makes Mr Antony's job more difficult.

And this became evident very recently. The Cochin Shipyard had backed out of a proposal to take over and develop the port's ship repair workshop as the unions insisted that all workers should be absorbed by the shipyard.

SHIP REPAIR YARD

The port now plans to float a global tender to choose a partner for the ship repair yard. Indeed, a good move, but with the adamant unions around, one can only wait to see what the bidder response will be.

For Cochin terminal, finding other than containerised cargoes will not be easy. One option is to covert the container berths into a bulk cargo terminal, but it could raise environmental issues. The port may have the potential to attract coastal cargo, but its success depends on several other factors. “We are trying to get some bulk cargo,” said Mr Antony without giving any details.

But his biggest worry is the empty berths at Vallarpadam.

“I want to see ships moving in and out always. The productivity at the terminal is world class, but few ships are calling at the port”.

As he talks, he keeps looking out at the harbour to see whether any ship was coming to berth.

A transhipment hub should attract mother ships. Initially, the problem was inadequate draft. This is now being solved. “We will be able to provide 14 meters (draft) by October”.

But the main hitch is the Cabotage. Unless that is exempted, Mr Antony thinks, the terminal will not be able to become a true international transhipment hub.

CABOTAGE REVIEW

Cabotage regulations restrict operation of foreign ships along the Indian coast. This means large foreign flag ships calling at Vallarpadam have to depend on Indian vessels for movement of cargo between Vallarpadam and other Indian ports.

As domestic shipping companies do not have adequate ships to operate such feeder services, this restriction affects seamless movement of cargo.

According to Mr Antony, currently there are only 13 Indian flag container vessels with a combined capacity of 12,165 TEUs which are deployed for coastal operations. “This capacity is grossly inadequate to operate feeder services from Vallarpadam,” asserts Mr Antony”.

“Despite lower cargo volume, seamless evacuation of containers is not happening.

Right now there are 580 containers waiting for transhipment to Tuticorin.

The evacuation of containers by train has its limitations as only 90 boxes can go at a time. Whereas a connecting vessel could have cleared out all the boxes at one go,” said another port official.

The promoters of Vallapadam have been seeking Cabotage exemption right from its inception. Recently, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport has recommended relaxation of Cabotage for the Intentional Container Transhipment Terminal at Vallarpadam.

In its report submitted earlier this month, the committee said “the Government should immediately undertake a review of the Cabotage Law and take appropriate decision in consultation with all stakeholders involved.”

The Director General of Shipping in a draft policy for the development of coastal shipping also suggested relaxation of Cabotage for container operations.

The government is yet to take a decision, apparently because of strong opposition from Indian shipping lines. Their stand is that coastal cargo is reserved for national flag carriers and opening up of coastal trade to foreign operators will affect the development of shipping. Many countries including the US do not allow foreign lines to carry coastal cargo.

MAJOR ISSUES

As of now, the volume at Vallarpadam is more or less the same that the Rajiv Gandhi terminal had been handling,” said an official at ICTT, the company that operates the terminal.

“Unless the terminal is exempted from the Cabotage laws, it will not be able to attract mother vessels,'' he said. Most of these vessels carrying Indian cargo still call at Colombo as it offers better connectivity, he said.

So Mr Paul Antony has two major issues to tackle: one, to redevelop the Rajiv Gandhi terminal, find a partner for the ship repair facility and ensure that other available assets of the port are put to maximum use.

Two, as the landlord port, it is Cochin Port's responsibility is to ensure that Vallarpadam has all the facilities, including the feeder service to attract large vessels for it to become a major transhipment hub

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/bl_logo_h55.gif (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article2379476.ece?homepage=true)


Six months after its commissioning, the country’s first ever International Container Transshipment Terminal at Vallarpadam is yet to commence actual operations.

With hundreds of containers held up at ICTT and a number of international companies backing out, the terminal is in real crisis.

As many as 416 containers have been held up at ICTT for more than a month due to lack of feeder vessels. Already some international shipping companies - CMA CGM, Maersk and ZIM - which had begun mainline operations to the ICTT, went back to Colombo for transshipment due to the delay in sending containers from here to destination ports, sources said.

While the terminal is projected to handle an estimate of 7.75 lakh TEUs (Twenty-foot equivalent units) of containers in 2011, the 13 available Indian feeder vessels together has a capacity to carry only 12,156 TEUs at any point of time.

Also these 13 vessels, from SCI, Relay Shipping, Gati, Seaways, Jindal and Caravel, touch ICTT Vallarpadam only occasionally.

Due to lack of feeder vessels, the container traffic has not increased much even after the commissioning of ICTT, officials said.

“Compared to the corresponding period last year, there is an increase of only about 4 percentage in container handling. It’s much less than what we actually projected to achieve this year. The depth has not become an issue for vessels to call at ICTT,” Cochin Port Trust Chairman Paul Antony said.
However, statistics so far doesn’t paint a rosy picture. While, 1,30,887 containers were handled during April-August 2010, this year only 1,36,734 containers were handled.

In 2010, 3.12 lakh TEUs of containers were handled here. DP World, the promoter of ICTT Vallarpadam, has projected this to be 7.75 lakh TEUs this year, which would rake in `109.91 crore for the Cochin Port Trust.

If no action is taken to exclude cargo vessels from the Cabotage law - which prevents foreign flag vessels to transship containers between Indian ports - ICTT Vallarpadam may not survive as a transshipment terminal.

It has been pointed out that the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Cabotage has resolved that the law should be relaxed to enable transshipment of containers through foreign flag vessels from Vallarpadam.
The Director General of Shipping has also recommended opening up of containerised cargo to foreign flag vessels.

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQyI0h6WEub0tkBMQZB-aOz729jMCVMi8d90E0mxyR7fueAtIdY6Q (http://expressbuzz.com/states/kerala/vallarpadam-in-dire-straits/306354.html)

http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/1910/vallarpadam.png

Editorial to support Vallarpadam.

Editorial to support Vallarpadam.

As the media started up huge campaign to removal anarchic Carbotage law, the ever active Kerala CM Ommen Chandy assured that he will do all possible to make center exempt Vallarapadam from the law, as recommended by Parliamentary committee.

Speaking to press in Delhi just few hours back, OC told that he will be meeting Shipping minister Vasan and secretary Mohandas today evening and tommorrow to sort out the issues. The file is pending before cabinet for approval, after Parliamentary committee headed by CPM's Yechuri cleared the proposals.

The CM expressed his hope that the situation will change soon.

ICTT is SEZ, right? So, it is essentially foreign land for commercial purposes. There is nothing wrong in excepting the Cabotage there.

Even otherwise, we should not hold to ransom any of the projects for the sake of any lobby.

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/2954/vallar.jpg

Source: Todays Manorama.

It is suspected that conspiracies are brewing to hurt the Vallarpadam ICTT. Some sources are demanding restrictions at VICTT that are not present even in Colombo.

Dredging progressing at Vallarpadam (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article2381148.ece)

Dredging operations are in progress at the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadam, for achieving the targeted depth of 15.95 metres to make ICTT the deepest container terminal in the country.

Cochin Port Trust (CPT) had declared a draft of 13 metre on 350 metre of berth length at the container transshipment terminal at the time of commissioning the terminal in February.

CPT has announced a draft of 11 metre on an additional length of 100 metre of berth length at the terminal.

Thus, 450 metres of the quay has been made operational.

The vessel, m.v.Seaways Venture, had berthed in the extended 100-metre length of the berth on August 18, 2011, along with m.v.CMA CGM Telopea, a mainliner of CMA CGM Shipping Line, which sailed from here to Australia, according to a press release issued by the Cochin Port Trust here.

Chennai-based AMET Cruises is set to launch its cruise services from Kochi from the first week of October 2011. The vessel MV AMET Majesty will sail from Kochi to destinations such as the Maldives, Lakshadweep and a cruise on the Kochi high seas. The first cruise will set sail from Kochi on the first week of October and the itinerary will continue up to April 2012.

Dr J Ramachandran, Chairman, AMET Shipping India Pvt Ltd informed, “The company has had a series of discussions with the Cochin Port Trust and the Lakshadweep Administration over the new services and the authorities have promised help.

Initially, AMET Cruises offered one high sea sailing, one two-night sailing to the Lakshwadeep and one four-night sailing to the Maldives on a weekly basis." He also said that AMET Cruises will make Cruise Tourism accessible to the burgeoning urban middle-class households in the country.

Referring to the tourism scenario, the company official said that India is one of the fastest growing outbound travel markets in the world and there is a forecast that outgoing tourism expenditure will grow 25.7 per cent between 2006 and 2011 to reach a value of USD 21 billion by 2011. According to a report in The Hindu Business Line, Government of India is projecting Mumbai, Mormugao, New Mangalore, Kochi, Tuticorin and Chennai ports for the cruise circuit and major terminals are being planned at Mormugao, Mumbai and Kochi.

India's 7,517 km long coastline and strong port positioning imparts a natural advantage to the country to attract international cruise line. India's positioning in South East Asia and its proximity to already popular cruise destinations would enable strong cruise circuits to be created over a period of time. The total worldwide cruise market is estimated at USD 29.4 billion, a 9.5 per cent increase from 2010. The total cruise passengers carried worldwide in 2011 is estimated at USD 19.2 million, a 4.1 per cent increase over 2010.

http://www.hospitalitybizindia.com/detailNews.aspx?aid=11548&sid=1

sN73Ak_JVP4

It seems Cochin Port Trust has launched a media blitzkrieg to make public aware against Cabotage law and launch action plan against it.......

The first story of City Time, focus on negative sides of Cabotage law and how it is affecting Vallarpadam.

Happy News

It seems the PR Work of CPT has struck the right chord.:banana::banana:


In view of the crisis at Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal, the Union Government will seriously consider bringing in relaxations to the Cabotage law, Union Shipping Minister G K Vasan informed Union Minister of State K V Thomas.

Vasan added that the government would soon intervene to find a solution to the issue.

K V Thomas had written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demanding relaxation in the Cabotage law for smooth cargo movement at ICTT Vallarpadam. Though the Parliament Standing Committee has recommended amendments to Cabotage law, so far there has been no progress on the issue, Thomas said.

Though it was announced that the ICTT would be handling 7.75 lakh TEUs of containers this year, only 1,36,734 TEUs of containers could be handled in the first six months. Though a revenue of Rs109.91 crore was expected this year, so far ICTT has not been able to achieve even half of the amount, Minister Thomas pointed out in the letter to the Prime Minister.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/centre-mulls-relaxations-in-cabotage-law/178103-60-122.html

The Media lobbying seems to bear fruit! Kochiyoda kali ;)

Centre likely to relax Cabotage law
The Union Shipping Ministry is seriously considering relaxation in Cabotage law, which now regulates delivery of coastal cargo at Indian ports by foreign flag vessels.

Union Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies K. V. Thomas said on Wednesday that Shipping Minister G. K. Vasan assured him that amendments for relaxation in the cabotage law would be brought before the Cabinet at the earliest. Relaxation in cabotage law will free coastal cargo for being delivered by foreign flag vessels once they are shipped to any transshipment destination in India. A lack of this facility has now resulted in containers being stranded in Kochi International Container Transshipment Terminal. For example, cargo headed for Tuticorin and which landed here nearly a month ago, continues to be held up for lack of schedules by Indian flag vessels delivering coastal cargo, shipping industry sources have said.

Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry has written to the Shipping Ministry, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and the Union Shipping Secretary K. Mohandas, stating that the Merchant Shipping Act did not facilitate the availability of sufficient feeder vessels.

The Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article2395167.ece)

http://www.metrovaartha.com/2011/08/27231325/vallarapdamo.html