International Container Transshipment Terminal, Kochi
The Kochi International Container Transshipment Terminal , locally known as the Vallarpadam Terminal, is the first transshipment terminal in India and the first container terminal to operate in a SEZ. It is part of the Cochin Port in Kochi, Kerala. Being constructed in three stages, the first phase of the terminal was commissioned on 11 Feb 2011. This can handle cargo up to one million TEUs per annum. On completion of the third phase, the terminal will be able to handle 5.5 million Twenty-foot equivalent units of cargo per annum. The terminal is operated by the Dubai Ports World, which will operate it for 30-years after which the control will come back to the Cochin Port Trust.
History
On 16 February 2005, Dubai Ports World announced that it has signed an agreement with the Cochin Port Trust to construct, develop and operate an International Container Transshipment Terminal – An India Gateway Terminal – at Vallarpadam. The project was, formally, launched with the laying of the foundation stone by Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India. Approval for the agreement was given by the Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs of the Government of India, Ministry of Finance and meanwhile, the DP World will manage and subsequently transfer its operations at the Rajiv GandhiContainer Terminal in Cochin Port to the new terminal upon its completion. The DP World has been granted a 38-year concession for the exclusive operation and management of the site.
In the first phase there will be 600 m Quay length and a draft of more than 15 m, when the terminal may handle 1 million TEUs
In the second phase the capacity will be enhanced to 3 million TEUs.
In the third phase the terminal may handle even up to 5.5 million TEUs.
The total cost of the project is estimated at 3200 crore. DP World has estimated that the total initial investment required will be approximately US$20 million which includes the immediate provision of four RTGs and two Mobile Harbour Cranes to the Terminal -to improve yard handling, truck turnaround time and quayside operations. Strategically, located on the main east-west global shipping lines and offering draft of about 16 m, Cochin is destined to develop as the premier gateway to southern India, as also offering an alternative to Sri Lanka and Singapore for containers being transshipped for the Indian market.
On 11 February 2011 the terminal was inaugurated by Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India. The ceremony was attended by A. K. Antony, G. K. Vasan, K.C. Venugopal, R. S. Gavai, V. S. Achuthanandan, K. V. Thomas, Vayalar Ravi, C P Joshi, Mullapaly Ramachandran, and N Ramachandran.
Timeline
1 February 2005: Commenced Construction for Phase 1
