Status In operation Opening 11 February 2011 Phone 0484 415 6100 | Location Vallarpadam, Kochi Cost ₹ 3200 crore | |
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Address Vallarpadam, Ernakulam, Kerala 682031 | ||
The Kochi International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT), locally known as the Vallarpadam Terminal, is a container trans-shipment facility which is part of the Cochin Port in Kochi, India. The existing loss making port with less than 50% capacity utilization raises question of competing with ports like Colachel, Vizhinjam and Tuticorin.
Contents
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 (twenty-foot equivalent units) per annum. On completion of the third phase, the terminal will be able to handle 4 million Twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo per annum. The terminal is 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 signed an agreement with the Cochin Port Trust (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 Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India. The ceremony was attended by Dr. Jacob Thomas, Chairman, Cochin Port Trust and Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, DP World. The proceedings were overseen by the Governor of Kerala, Mr. R.L. Bhatia, the Minister of Shipping, Government of India, T.R. Baalu, and the 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 World has been granted a 38-year concession for the exclusive operation and management of the site.
Overview
Vallarpadam Terminal is the first in the country to operate in a special economic zone.
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.
Location
The terminal is located in the Vallarpadam island in Kochi.
Opening
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.