Vallarpadam Container Terminal (ICTT), Kochi (Kochi)

India / Kerala / Kochi
 sea port, container / transport / storage terminal

The Kochi International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT), locally known as the Vallarpadam Terminal , is a container trans-shipment facility which is part of the Kochi Port. It is the only trans-shipment port in India, and is situated in Kochi, in the state of Kerala.The terminal is biggest in its kind in South Asia

Being constructed in three stages, the first phase of the terminal was commissioned on Feb 11, 2011. This can handle cargo up to one million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) per annum. On completion of the third phase, the terminal will be able to handle 4 million TEUs of cargo per annum. The terminal is presently being operated by the Dubai Ports World (DPW), 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 formally signed an agreement with the CoPT to construct, develop and operate an International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) – An India Gateway Terminal – at Vallarpadam.

The project was formally launched with the laying of the foundation stone by Mr. Manmohan Singh, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. The ceremony was attended by Dr. Jacob Thomas, Chairman, CoPT and Mr. Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, DP World. The proceedings were overseen by His Excellency, the Governor of Kerala, Mr. R.L. Bhatia, the Hon’ble Minister of Shipping, Government of India, Mr.T.R. Baalu,and the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Kerala, Mr.Oommen Chandy.

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 Gandhi Container Terminal in Cochin Port to the new terminal upon its completion. The DP Worldhas been granted a 38-year concession for the exclusive operation and management of the site.

Overview:
Vallarpadam Terminal is the largest single operator container terminal in India and the first in the country to operate in a special economic zone. The terminal makes kochi a key centre in the shipping world reducing India ’s dependence on foreign ports to handle transshipment.

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 TEU container annually by the end of 2012.

In the second phase the capacity will be enhanced to 3 million TEU's by the end of 2014.

In the third phase the terminal may handle even up to 5.5 million TEU's.
The total cost of the project is estimated at Indian Rupee symbol.svg 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.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   9°58'56"N   76°15'8"E

Comments

  • Proposed International Container Transhipment Terminal - The Gateway Port to Indian Subcontinent & Pride of Kerala. When fully operational this proposed port will have 16 quay cranes and huge wharf area with a capacity of Millions of Containers. Once operational, Cargoes from South India need not depend on any foreign ports for Transhipment. This will be India's Superport at par in facilities with Shanghai & Singapore.
  • We wish all success to DPA to complete the project within the time. benny francis,cargo care international,cochin
  • mAY IT PROSPER
  • a dream come true.... hats-off to forefront hands...
  • It has given new face to Kochi..and immense potential for development..
  • It has given new face to Kochi..and immense potential for development..
  • Show all comments
This article was last modified 8 years ago