Kannur Azhikkal Port & Thalassery Cruise Port

[Aslesh]

It's all related. Shipyard has to share the facilities with the port. At present there is only a minor port without enough depth. If major port is being built naturally dredging will be done and shipyard can use the same channel. Road and Railway connectivity is excellent I would say. Existing minor port is just 1.5 kms from Rail and NH. Even from the breakwater area where shipyard was considered the distance to Rail and NH will be just 5 kms. If Major port is announced railway and NH authority will be keen to build the connectivity as we saw with Vallarpadam. There was no rail or NH connectivity when Vallarpadam was announced. Some 10-20 kms railway and highway was built immediately once port construction started. What we need it political will power.

[Malayaali]

I think Govt. was pushing Azhikkal for Shipyard but CSL was grim on the matter due to technical reasons.

[PPJ]

Whatever be it, now kerala is lagging much behind other states in shipping. We are still talking of few 100s of crores for 1 or 2 projects other than kochi and vizhinam while other states are putting 1000s of crores for lot of ports!.

[Aslesh]

K M Shaji MLA to meet Kunhalikutty and Umman Chandy for Shipyard in Azhikkal. Let us do some ATTIMARI.

[jayadevan_c]

അഴീക്കോട്: അഴീക്കല്* തുറമുഖത്ത് ആഴം കൂട്ടാന്* ടി.എസ്.സി. സിന്ധുരാജ് എന്ന കപ്പല്* ചൊവ്വാഴ്ച എത്തി. സംസ്ഥാന മാരിടൈം വികസന കോര്*പ്പറേഷന്റെ നേതൃത്വത്തിലാണ് മണല്* മാറ്റല്* നടത്തുന്നത്. ലക്ഷദ്വീപിലേക്കുള്ള വ്യാപാരം പുനഃസ്ഥാപിക്കുന്നതിന്റെ ഭാഗമായി ഉരുക്കളും ചെറുകപ്പലുകളും കൊണ്ടുവരുന്നതിനാണ് ഇപ്പോള്* ആഴംകൂട്ടുന്നത്. കഴിഞ്ഞദിവസം അഴീക്കല്* സന്ദര്*ശിച്ച തുറമുഖ മന്ത്രി കെ.ബാബു ഇതുസംബന്ധിച്ച് നിര്*ദേശം നല്*കിയിരുന്നു. കടലില്* ഹൈഡ്രോഗ്രാഫിക് സര്*വേ ബുധനാഴ്ച ആരംഭിക്കും. സര്*വേ ഉടന്* പൂര്*ത്തിയാക്കി പ്രവൃത്തി തുടങ്ങാനാണ് തീരുമാനം. ഈ സാമ്പത്തികവര്*ഷം നാലുകോടി രൂപ മണല്* നീക്കി ആഴംകൂട്ടാന്* അനുവദിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്.

http://www.mathrubhumi.com/kannur/ne...%E0%B5%8D.html

[Aslesh]

PPP model for Azheekal port

The revised Request for Proposal and concession agreement for the development of the Azheekal port in Kannur have been approved by the Cabinet, Fisheries Minister K. Babu said here on Sunday.

An official press note issued herequoting him said the port would be developed on the public-private-partnership (PPP) model. The Cabinet also empowered the Ports Director to sign the concession agreement on behalf of the government. — Special Correspondent
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper...cle2887407.ece

[Malayaali]

Kerala invites fresh bid for development of Azhikkal port

To charter development course: A file picture of Azhikkal port

The Kerala Government has again floated tender inviting private partners for the development of Azhikkal port in North Kerala through public-private partnership (PPP) route.

TWO MODULES

The port, this time, is proposed to be developed in two modules; the setting up of a multi-purpose terminal for handling general cargo and a separate terminal for handling cement products and related cargo. The total cost of the project is estimated around Rs 150 crore.

SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLE

A special purpose vehicle (SPV) will be formed for the implementation of the project on design, build, operate and transfer (DBOT) basis and the concession period will be 30 years.

The State Government's investment in the project will be Rs. 20.6 crore in the form of land and the existing assets, according to Port Department officials.

A total of 85 acres of land has been earmarked for the development of the river-based project.

COASTAL SHIPPING

Of this, 65 acres will be utilised for the multi-purpose terminal and the remaining 20 acres for the cement terminal.

The Azhikkal port has a prime place in the coastal shipping plan of the State Government.

It may be noted that the Government had floated a tender last year seeking a private partner and Mundra Port was the lone bidder.

Interestingly, against the Government's estimated project cost of around Rs 1,700 crore, Mundra Port had submitted a proposal for Rs. 3,000 crore..

MUNDRA PORT

Mundra Port had evinced interest in the project keeping in mind the Government's intention to establish a coal-based thermal project in the region, requiring import of coal through the port.

But once the Government decided against the thermal project, Mundra Port withdrew from the scene.

The Government had subsequently asked the consultant, Deloitte India, to revise the detailed project report and the new tender now floated is learnt to be based on the revised report.

There is also a proposal for setting up a ship-repairing facility near the port and a team from Cochin Shipyard had visited the site some time back to examine the feasibility of the proposal.

[Aslesh]

Just 150 crores. Great. Let me buy this port.

[PPJ]

Originally Posted by Aslesh

Just 150 crores. Great. Let me buy this port.

With 130 crores for a new port you will get few port building, get two 100m berths and some small cranes. No dredging, I dont know what govt really wants there.

[Aslesh]

Earlier tender was for 200+ crores only. They just revised the estimate without coal terminal. A new 226 m wharf and new crane is already in place. Still the question of dredging remains. Without dredging are they going to use this as boat jetty?

[Aslesh]

Some excerpts from RFP document...

GOK has already constructed a concrete berth of approximate 226 meter, as designed.
The berth is 11m to 12 m wide and depth is minimum 4 m. It has also purchased equipments
like 20 tonnes Mobile Crane (Hydra 825). This berth and mobile crane will be allotted to
the successful bidder of Multipurpose terminal1. There are existing breakwaters near the
river mouth. There is existing land of about 85 acres, near South Bank of the river, which will
be provided by Government to the Successful Bidder(s) on lease basis2. Department of Port
(DOP) also has a 60 acre of land on the North Bank (Matool side) which as per current
DOP’s plan is proposed to develop a shipyard. Development of shipyard, if any in future, is
not part of this bid.

Instead of South Bank they have proposed Shipyard in the north Bank near Mattool. No wonder why CSL said there is no Road and Rail connectivity.

[Aslesh]

Study on suitability of Azheekkal for major port


* Four-member panel to look into State's proposal

* Panel to submit report in three months

Kannur looks set to join the league of maritime hubs in India by becoming the country's 14th major port after the Union Shipping Ministry constituted a committee early this month to study a Kerala government proposal to set up a port and a ship-building facility at Azheekkal.

The Shipping Ministry order, issued on February 13, said the four-member committee would study the proposal by Kerala government identifying Azheekkal as a site for the major maritime project and submit its report in three months.

The committee comprises Chairman of Cochin Port Trust Paul Antony; Chairman and Managing Director of Cochin Shipyard Limited Commodore K. Subramaniam; Development Advisor (Ports), Ministry of Shipping, B. Poiyaamozhi (convener); and senior hydrographic surveyor D.S.R. Satya Prakash.

The committee will meet with the district administration concerned and identify the land required for the project and get the required documents to finalise the location for the facility.

The committee has also been asked to study the profile of major and minor ports in the neighbourhood of Azheekkal on the western coast and to prepare a profile of cargo traffic through these ports and their capacities.

The committee will study the updated navigational charts of the proposed sites/locations to assess the natural draft with a view to developing an all-weather port and ship-building establishment to cater to state-of-the-art vessels.

The committee has also been asked to identify the backup area to be handed over to the port developer. The area has to be identified in such a way that the project affected the least number of people in terms of displacement.

The site had to be looked at from the point of view of environmental concerns too, said the Union Ministry instructions as it pointed out important aspects such as mangrove vegetations in the vicinity.

Rail and road connectivity to the proposed port's hinterland and the overall infrastructure and investment requirement would also be assessed by the committee.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper...cle2993065.ece

[Malayaali]

നുമ്മള് കൊച്ചിക്കാര് വിചാരിച്ചാ അങ്ങോട്ട് വല്യ പോര്ട്ട് വരൂട്ടാ

[Aslesh]

More vessels arrive at Azhikkal port

KANNUR The arrival of cargo vessels from Lakshadweep at the Azhikkal port after a very long gap has given an impetus to the development project which is expected to turn the port into a major intermediate port in the state.

Nine vessels from the Lakshadweep reached the Azhikkal port till the first week of March. According to port officials, 10 more vessels from the islands are expected to call at the port in the coming days. The 150-200 tonne vessels brought in fish products and copra, and returned with vegetables, construction materials like river sand and cement.

Two decades ago, Azhikkal was a port of call for vessels coming from the islands.

But the number of vessels reaching the port declined drastically over the years as a result of lack of development and proper dredging.

http://www.omantribune.com/index.php...&heading=India

[Aslesh]

CPT chairman to head Port Development Committee


KOCHI: The Union Ministry of Shipping has constituted an expert committee to look into the proposal for development of a major port-cum-ship repair centre at Azhikkal in Kannur district. The four-member committee is headed by Cochin Port Trust chairman Paul Antony.
Cochin Shipyard Limited Chairman and Managing Director Commodore K Subramaniam, Ministry of Shipping Development Adviser B Poiyaamozhi and senior Hydraulic Surveyor of MPSO D S R Satya Prakash are the other members of the committee. The step taken by the ministry gains significance in the wake of the move by the state government to woo private investors for developing the minor ports across the state.
The proposal will be presented at ‘Emerging Kerala: the Global Investors’ Meet’, to be held in April 2012. The proposal is part of the Coastal Shipping Project formulated by the state.
The development of ports will help reduce transportation of cargo by road to a great extent. The ministry’s order states that the chairman of the committee may seek the support of a consultant, if necessary. It is further suggested that the committee should interact with the District Collector concerned for identifying the land required for the project.
“The proposed port will come up on the land provided by the state government,” Antony said.
The committee will look into all the logistical and technical details of the project, including locations of existing nearby ports along the western coast, cargo traffic profile, availability of adequate back-up area, rail and road connectivity and sensitivity of the proposed area from an environmental point of view.
The ministry has further suggested that the committee should consider the matter of selecting the land for the proposed centre with all stakeholders.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/cpt-chair...55-60-122.html

[Aslesh]

Centre examining possibilities of Azhikal project


New Delhi: The government Monday said it has constituted a group for identifying locations for developing big ports in three southern states.

"A technical committee has been constituted to identify the suitable location for development of major ports in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala," Minister of Shipping G K Vasan said in the Lok Sabha Monday.

Replying to a question whether some states have proposed to invest in the development of major ports, Vasan said, "No proposal has been received from states for investment in the development of major ports."

Request has been received from the Kerala government for development of port or shipyard project at Azhikal in the state. The committee is currently examining the proposal.

"Response has been received from the states governments of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Gujarat for providing land for development of another major port," he said.

Meanwhile, the Maritime Agenda 2010-20, unveiled in January last year, provides for development of two hub ports each on West and East Coasts, ie. Mumbai (Jawaharlal Nehru Port), Kochi, Chennai and Vishakhapatnam.

http://english.manoramaonline.com/cg...mId=1080132912

[Aslesh]

Master plan for lighterage port(PPP) in Azhikkal by Deloitte


Development near Port Office


Development in South Bank near breakwater and North Bank


Bidding closes on 15-05-2012.

[Aslesh]

Deadline for Azhikkal port project bids extended


KOZHIKODE, MARCH 30:
The last date for submitting bids for the development of Azhikkal port in North Kerala has been extended.

According to the original decision, the last date was fixed as March 30, 2012. But this has now been extended to May 15 as more prospective investors have expressed interest in the project, according to sources in the Ports Department. The port, which figures prominently in the coastal shipping plan of the State Government, is proposed to be developed through public-private partnership (PPP) route on a design, build, operate and transfer (DBOT) basis. The concession period will be 30 years.

TWO MODULES

The port development project, which has been hanging fire for more than a decade, is now envisaged to be developed in two modules: the setting up of a multi-purpose terminal for handling general cargo and a separate terminal for cement products and related cargo. The total cost of the project is projected at Rs 150 crore.

In all, 85 acres of land has been earmarked for the river-based project. Of this, 65 acres will be made available for the multi-purpose terminal and 20 acres for the cement terminal. Meanwhile, the pre-bid meeting held a couple of weeks ago saw the participation of a few interested investors in the project. They included Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd, ABG Cements Ltd, LOTS Shipping Ltd, Falcon Infrastructures, Kakinada Seaports Ltd and International Seaports Ltd, the sources said.

INKEL Ltd, the infrastructure development agency floated by the State Government with private equity participation, also attended the meeting. INKEL is already involved in the development of Beypore port in Kozhikode.

Apart from port development, there is a proposal for setting up a ship-repairing facility near the port and a team from Cochin Shipyard had visited the site some time ago to examine the feasibility of the project.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...ue&ref=wl_home

[Aslesh]

Central Govt. technical team to visit Azhikkal


The technical team of the Central government will visit the Azhikkal port here on April 11 to examine the feasibility of the proposal to set up a major port-cum-ship building facility there close to the estuary.

Azhikkal port officials here informed that the team headed Cochin Port Trust chairman Paul Antony is visiting Azikkal to study the proposal as Azhikkal has been identified by the State government as the location for developing the port-cum-ship building facility. The other members of the technical committee include Chairman and Managing Director of the Cochin Shipyard Ltd. Commodore K. Subramaniam, Development Advisor (Ports), Ministry of Shipping, B. Poiyaamozhi, who is the committee’s convenor, and senior Hydrographic Surveyor D.S.R. Satya Prakash. After the site visit, the team members would hold a meeting of stake holders including officials of Ports, Forest, Revenue and Fisheries Departments as well as Kerala State Electricity Board officials.

The committee has been mandated to study the proposal and submit its report in three months. The major task of the team members is to identify the suitable location at Azhikkal for developing the facility. The committee will also prepare report on the cargo traffic through the ports in the neighbourhood of Azhikkal. Updated navigational charts of the locations to be identified for the facility will also be studied to assess the natural draft of the basin of the identified area, the officials here said adding that rail and road connectivity to the proposed facility will also be examined by the team.

Meanwhile, the last date for submitting bids for the development of the Azhikkal port has been extended as per requests from prospective developers, the officials here said. As per the original decision, the last date for submitting the bid was March 30 which has now been extended to May 15. The decision to extend the date followed the pleas from the prospective investors who showed keen interest in the project. The port, which has occupied a prominent position in the coastal shipping plan of the State government, is proposed to be developed as a PPP (private-public partnership) project.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/...cle3266227.ece

[Aslesh]

Central team sees vast potential in Azhikkal port


KANNUR: The proposal of the state government to develop Azhikkal as a major port seems to have many takers in the Centre. While the state government has already floated fresh tenders to develop the port under public-private partnership, a technical team constituted by the Centre visited the port on Wednesday. The team examined the feasibility of converting the state government's proposal to build a port into a major greenfield port-cum-ship building centre.

The team comprises B Poiyaamozhi, development advisor (ports), ministry of shipping, D S R Satyaprakash, senior hydrographic surveyer, Minor Port Survey Organization (MPSO), and G P Rai, chief engineer, Cochin Port Trust. They will prepare a detailed report on the port based on its technical and business possibilities in three months.

"The Centre has suggested the study after getting a proposal from the state government to develop Azhikkal as a major port. We visited the place to explore the possibility of developing the same, as part of the Centre's plan to develop a major port or a shipyard or both by 2020," said Poiyaamozhi after meeting at the collectorate here. The team will study the updated navigational charts of the proposed site, prepare a revenue sketch, and also identify the backup area to be handed over to the port developer.

"When developing a port, we also have to do studies of land required, problems of human displacement, environmental impact, erosion, siltation, sedimentation, among other issues," said a senior official. They will also study the issues of rail and road connectivity to the port.

The department of ports decided to extend the date for submission of tender from March 30 to May 15, because of the hope that some potential investors would come up to develop it in BOT model, said the official. "If a major developer comes forward with sufficient investment, Azhikkal can be developed as one of the best ports in the country," he said.

The development work of the port, which can act as a potential feeder port to Vallarpadom International Transhipment Terminal, Cochin Port, and Vizhinjam International Seaport, is based on the feasibility report prepared by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India Pvt. Ltd in December 2009, which was redrafted considering the present situation and possibilities.

Though a company named Mundra Port and SEZ had earlier won the bid, it later backed out. If Azhikkal is developed as a major port that caters to the entire country, there is immense possibility to generate business.

"It is meaningless to argue that the existing business and industry in the region is not sufficient enough to develop a major port," said another official. According to him once the port is developed, it will naturally bring business.

Also, the governments should promote coastal shipping development in the country and give carbon credit to waterway transportation because it is the most environmental friendly mode of transportation.

Azhikkode MLA K M Shaji who accompanied the team said that once the port becomes a reality, it is will boost the timber and textile industry in the region.

Hari A Warrier, deputy director of ports, M Sudheer Kumar, senior port conservator at the Azhikkal port, representative of the industry in Kannur accompanied the technical team.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/12630495.cms