Adani Ports and the Kerala government have signed an MoU for the proposed Rs 7,525-crore Vizhinjam deep sea international terminal. The proposal for the project was first initiated 25 years ago in 1991. It was proposed by late Congress Chief Minister K Karunakaran but wasn’t implemented. The agreement has been signed on August 17 2015.
The MoU was signed by Kerala Principal Secretary (Ports) James Varghese and Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Ltd CEO Santosh Kumar Mahopatra on in the presence of state CM Oommen Chandy and Adani Ports Chairman Gautam Adani. For the development of this project the state government had formed a wholly-owned arm, Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL).
About the agreement:
- Once completed, the port would enable ships with a capacity of even 18,000 TEU (20-feet equivalent units) to dock.
- the project is expected to start from November 1 2015.
- The agreement includes proposal for usage of foreign ships for the carriage of goods between two ports in one country.
- Agreement relaxes Centre’s Cabotage law that allows use of registered Indian ships only.
About Vizhinjam seaport:
- It is located in Thiruvananthapuram in India.
- Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL) is a special purpose government company that would help in implementing the project.
- Once the project is completed, the port would enable ships with a capacity of even 18,000 TEU (20-feet equivalent units) to dock.
- The port has a seawater depth of up to 24 m as close as one nautical mile from the seacoast which will enable it attract the largest container vessels.
- Due to this natural depth, Vizhinjam can attract the largest container vessels currently in operation and also the future mega container carriers.
- Site needs minimal capital dredging thus the project cost and maintenance cost will be minimum.
