[080321.EN.BIZ] INDIA's Centre Seeks To Build 6.5 Million TEU Transshipment Port

 

CHENNAI's Centre is attempting to build a 6.5 million TEU greenfield transshipment hub near Kanyakumari through the public, private, partnership (PPP) route, reports The Hindu Business Line.

Potential bidders have time until March 20 to file their interest. Kanniyakumari Port has been tasked with running the new port project from VO Chidambaranar Port Trust, Chennai Port Trust, and Cochin Port Trust.

Previously in July 2016, the New Delhi cabinet approved a new major port at Enayam in Kanyakumari in three phases with an investment of INR27.57 billion (US$376.9 million) to handle 127 million tonnes of cargo a year.

However, after resistance from local fishermen, a new site closer to Kanyakumari and between the Kovalam and Keelamanakudi villages was selected.

"There will be zero displacement; nobody will be disturbed. Besides, no land acquisition is envisaged for port construction," said a government official.

Only 25 per cent of Indian cargo transshipment is handled by Indian ports resulting in US$80 to $100 per TEU higher to exporters and importers for routing their containers through hub ports such as Colombo, Singapore, and Jebel Ali.

The share of Indian cargo transshipped in Indian ports should be raised to over 75 per cent by 2030.

Source : HKSG / Photo : MarineTraffic.