Troubles plague DP World Cochin first transshipment box terminal

DP WORLD has announced that India's first dedicated container transshipment hub, the International Container Transshipment Terminal at Vallarpadam (ICTT) in Cochin Port, is now open.


But despite the gala ceremony, where Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was guest of honour, the opening was less than complete, reports London's International Freighting Weekly. That's because of a court order forbidding the DP World terminal to engage in the coastal trade, though it will continue to handle imports and exports.


The difficulty arises from container operations being transferred from the nearby publicly run Rajiv Gandhi Container Terminal (RGCT) to the privately run Vallarpadam International Container Transhipment Terminal (VICT).


After dockers walked out to protest job losses incurred in the privatisation, the high court ordered a delay in the transfer of coastal traffic for three months while it looked into the matter.


The new terminal is a public-private partnership (PPP) between DP World and the Government of India, with Container Corporation of India (Concor), Transworld and Chakiat acting as strategic partners in the venture.


"The largest, single operator, container terminal in the country, ICTT, to be operated as DP World Cochin, was built at a cost (including other infrastructure facilities such as road and rail connections) of more than US$600 million," a statement from DP World said.


"With the opening of the new facility, container handling will move entirely to DP World Cochin from the nearby Rajiv Gandhi Terminal over coming weeks. The older facility may be converted by Cochin Port Trust to handle greater volumes of bulk cargo."


DP World Cochin will be completed in three phases. In the first phase, the 600-metre-long quay with a draught of around 14.5 metres will be able to "simultaneously serve" several containerships with a capacity of around 10,000 TEU, and the terminal with have an annual box handling capacity of one million TEU.


"Capacity will expand in line with market demand, increasing to 1.5 million TEU in the second phase. Once fully commissioned, capacity will be four million TEU," said DP World.


For its part in the public-private partnership, the Government of India built a four-lane highway to the terminal and developed a new eight kilometre electric railway that allows 15 trains into the terminal daily.


Mohammed Sharaf, chief executive officer, DP World said: "Today's opening of India's first transhipment terminal and gateway hub is an historic event. DP World Cochin offers customers world class, reliable, value-added services with excellent road and rail connectivity for greater efficiency, helping them to get their goods faster to market at competitive prices. The terminal's services and state-of-the-art facilities provide an outstanding option for shipping lines looking to transship in the region."


DP World also operates terminals in Mundra, Nhava Sheva, Chennai and Vishakapatnam, and is developing a new terminal facility in West Bengal.
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)