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.
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.