Vizhinjam International Seaport Thiruvananthapuram
Vizhinjam International Seaport Thiruvananthapuram വിഴിഞ്ഞം അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര തുറമുഖം തിരുവനന്തപുരം | |
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Location | |
Country | India |
Location | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala |
Coordinates | 8°22′21″N 76°59′55″E / 8.37250°N 76.99861°E |
UN/LOCODE | IN VZJ |
Details | |
Opened | |
Operated by | Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL) & Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt Ltd (AVPL) |
Owned by | Government of Kerala |
Type of harbour | All-weather,[3] Multipurpose,[3] Green[4] Deep-Water Mega Seaport |
No. of berths | 10 (after phase3)[5] |
Draft depth | 24 m (79 ft) |
Statistics | |
Website www |
The Vizhinjam International Seaport Thiruvananthapuram (IPA: /vɪzɪnˈdʒam ɪntərˈnæʃənl siːpɔːt tɪrʊvənənˈtɑːpʊrəm / vizh-in-jam in-ter-nash-uh-nuhl see-port thir-uh-vuh-nuh-thuh-pur-uhm) (Malayalam: വിഴിഞ്ഞം അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര തുറമുഖം തിരുവനന്തപുരം) is India's first deep water container transshipment port , currently under-construction in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.[6] It is a multi-purpose,all-weather, green port located 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) away from the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.This is the first automated port in India and the only port in the country to be located adjacent to an international shipping route.The Vizhinjam International Seaport Thiruvananthapuram is the second port in the world that is in close proximity to an international shipping route. The port is just 10 nautical miles (19 km) away from the busiest east–west shipping channel connecting Europe, Persian Gulf,South East Asia and the Far East. This is the sole port in India with a natural depth of 20 meters, achieved without dredging,making it the deepest port in India and Asia.Being a greenfield seaport, it provides flexibility in design and future expansion.The port is a gateway to Indian Ocean.The seaport will be connected by India's third-longest railway tunnel, presently under planning phase.[7]
It possesses the capability to host world's massive
There is no littoral sedimentation and due to natural depth availability, the site needs minimal capital dredging requirements. Each berth has the capacity to handle 18,000
Vizhinjam Seaport Thiruvananthapuram is expected to have an impact on existing cargo movement to other ports and will cater to
History
Early history
The history of maritime trade in the area can be traced back to the
1900 to 2000
The idea for a modern port at Vizhinjam was first mooted by
2000 to 2015
The initial project model was suggested as a
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) acted as the transaction advisor to Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL). The IFC was appointed in November 2009 as the lead advisor to the port. The IFC undertook in 2009 - 2010 a series of studies and reports that recommended the state to undertake the project under the landlord model, under which the state would invest over US$1 billion to build the port, rather than the PPP model, under which the Private Partner would bear the cost of the port. Larsen & Toubro Infrastructure Engineering had undertaken the environmental impact assessment study of the container port.
After the landlord model was accepted by the state government, a bidding round concluded. A consortium led by Welspun was the sole eligible company for the port operator role. The
An Expert Appraisal Committee of the Ministry of Environment recommended clearance for the project on 3 December 2013. Tenders for construction of a breakwater, fish landing center, and port operator began the next day. The Adani Group emerged as the sole bidder for the project and the project was awarded to Adani group projects by Kerala Government Under Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in 2015.[19]
2015 to present
When the construction works began on 5 December 2015, Adani group CEO Gautam Adani stated that the first ship would berth at the port on 1 September 2018, in fewer than 1,000 days. In 2017, Cyclone Okchi wreaked havoc on the region, damaging a piece of the completed breakwater. Since then, a paucity of limestone, the project's most critical raw material, has caused another delay. The port also faced constant resistance from surrounding fishing communities and Church groups, who claimed that the construction and debris hampered their ability to find fish and, as a result, their livelihoods. It was also affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in India. Adani group regularly invoked the force majeure clause to explain why the project was not completed in time.[20]
When the first phase was nearing completion, the first general cargo ship from China arrived at the Vizhinjam port on 12 October 2023. The ship Zhen-Hua 15 left China in August and arrived at the Mundra Port in Gujarat few weeks earlier. It carried one quay crane and two-yard cranes that would be installed at the port.[21]
Geography
Situated on the southwestern coast of India, at Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram boasts a strategic location in the state of Kerala. Nestled along the Arabian Sea
Infrastructure and characteristics
Once phase 1 is completed, Vizhinjam port is expected to accommodate 1 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent container units), with succeeding phases adding another 6.2 million TEUs, accounting for more than 70% of India's transshipment as of 2023.[23][24][25]
The port would include two breakwaters, as well as a harbor basin and wharfs. In phase 1, breakwater of total length 3,180 m (10,430 ft) (main breakwater 3,040 m (9,970 ft) with 140 m (460 ft) extension for fish landing harbor) will be developed. There would be approximately 10+ (2000m length overall) berths, the majority of which would be capable of accommodating mother ships. A dedicated 500 m (1,600 ft) multipurpose berth has been designed for berthing luxury cruise ships. It has a container berth with a length of 800 m (2,600 ft) capable of handling up to the current largest 18,000 TEU container vessels and a container yard behind the quay length with a depth of up to 500 m (1,600 ft). There is a fish landing center with a total berth length of 500 m (1,600 ft) along with port craft berth of 100 m (330 ft) and Coast Guard berth of 120 m (390 ft). There are berthing and storage/operation facilities for Indian Navy with a berth 500 m (1,600 ft) long.[26]
Cruise terminal
Vizhinjam's strategic location, with its proximity to pristine beaches, historical sites, and cultural attractions, makes it an ideal base for exploring Kerala's rich heritage. Tourist places such as Kovalam,Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram, and the Padmanabhaswamy Temple are located near to the port. The Vizhinjam Cruise Terminal will have two cruise berth which is 500 m (1,600 ft) in length. The first berth will be completed in first phase and the second berth will be completed in the third phase. As of 2023, the berths will be capable of accommodating the largest cruise ship in the world.[27]
Crew change
Vizhinjam Seaport Thiruvananthapuram is expected to provide a convenient point of call for vessels navigating through the Indian Ocean region for crew change requirements. Moreover, the proximity of
Bunkering hub
Upon its commissioning, the port will serve as a key destination for bunkering and a prominent port of call, mainly because of its advantageous proximity, situated just 10 nautical miles from the world's busiest international east–west shipping channel.[29]
Draft depth and distance of ports from international shipping channel
Name | Natural Draft Depth | Dredged Draft Depth | Distance from International Shipping Channel |
---|---|---|---|
Vizhinjam port | 20 | ~ | 19 km (10 nmi) |
Mundra Port | 14 | 18.5 | 2,229 km (1,204 nmi) |
JNPT,Mumbai | 13 | 16.3 | 1,332 km (719 nmi) |
Hazira Port | 12 | 15.5 | 1,573 km (849 nmi) |
Cochin Port (ICTT Terminal Vallarpardam) | 10 | 13.5 | 130 km (70 nmi) |
Colombo Port | 14 | 19.5 | 90 km (49 nmi) |
Singapore Port | 14 | 19 | 100 km (54 nmi) |
Dubai Port | 14.5 | 17 | 1,500 km (810 nmi) |
Port klang | 12 | 16 | 60 km (32 nmi) |
Shanghai Port | 15 | 19 | 1,200 km (650 nmi) |
Hong Kong Port | 14 | 18 | 500 km (270 nmi) |
Administration
Vizhinjam port is a special purpose government company, fully owned by the Government of Kerala, that would act as an implementing agency for its development. In 2015, the Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Limited signed a 40-year agreement with the state government to build and maintain the port. Under this private public partnership deal, the Adani group would design, develop, finance, operate the port valued at 7,525 crore. According to the signed deal, Adani Group will have the only right to operate the port under licence for the first 40 years, and then for an additional 20 years if they builds the second phase of the project at its own expense during the first 30 years.[30]
Connectivity
Road connectivity
The Vizhinjam seaport has good connectivity to the rest of the country through
Rail terminal
The third longest railway tunnel in India, which is under various initial approval phase at Vizhinjam will link the Vizhinjam international Seaport Thiruvananthapuram with the railway mainline situated in Balaramapuram, Thiruvananthapuram. The construction of this tunnel employs the New Austrian tunneling method (NATM).This tunnel spans an 9.02 kilometers in length and reaches a depth of 25–30 meters beneath the ground's surface. Upon its completion, cargo trains departing from the Vizhinjam Seaport will traverse the tunnel in a mere 36 minutes, maintaining an average speed of 15-30 kilometers per hour (kmph). The integration of Vizhinjam Seaport into the Indian Railways network facilitates easy container transportation across India. The main line provides connectivity to major cities in Kerala and beyond. The
Airport terminal
Controversies
Protest by locals
The local fishing communities had been protesting against the port allegedly abusing their
On 27 November 2022 night, A mob attacked Vizhinjam police station, After FIR Against Latin Catholic Priests. PTI has reported that the mob was allegedly led by the Latin Catholic church.30 Police were injured during the attack.[37] Attackers were demanding the release of five protesters who had been detained the previous day.[38] On 6 December 2022, the protests were called-off after a series of talks held between the protesters and the government.[39][40]
Legal disputes
The government of Kerala and the Adani group have been embroiled in a legal dispute over the delay in completion of the project. The project was delayed after the private partner - Adani repeatedly kept on invoking the force majeure clause to explain the delay in completing the project. Later, the parties agreed to enter into an arbitration to resolve the dispute.[41]
See also
- List of ports in India
- Mumbai Port Trust
- International Container Transshipment Terminal, Kochi
- International Container Transshipment Terminal, Great Nicobar Island
References
- ^ M.K, Nidheesh (18 October 2023). "Vizhinjam: The port that almost wasn't built". mint.
- ^ "Vizhinjam Port to be fully commissioned at May 2024". India Times.
- ^ a b "First vessel docks at Vizhinjam port: Exploring its characteristics and history". English.Mathrubhumi. 15 October 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
- ^ "Vizhinjam beckons world's biggest container ships". Retrieved 10 January 2024.
- ^ "Kerala: Vizinjam port to be officially known as 'Trivandrum International Sea Port'". Asianet News. 10 April 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
- ^ "Kerala CM releases name, logo of Vizhinjam international seaport Thiruvananthapuram". OnManorama. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
- ^ Kallungal, Dhinesh (12 July 2023). "Vizhinjam railway tunnel, third longest tunnel in country, to adopt Austrian tunnelling method". Retrieved 10 January 2024 – via www.thehindu.com.
- ^ "Explainer: Vizhinjam port in Kerala and its potential in India's maritime trade". Hindustan Times. 12 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
- ^ Manoj, P. (2 September 2016). "Move to landlord port model means privatizing state-run cargo berths". mint. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
- ^ "Excavations at Vizhinjam | Department of Archaeology, University of Kerala". Retrieved 15 October 2023.
- ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
- ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
- ^ "A Big Dream that Sir CP Couldn't Realise". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- ^ "വിഴിഞ്ഞം തുറമുഖം: ഉറപ്പുകളൊക്കെ കടലെടുത്തു; പദ്ധതി വൈകുന്നതിൻറെ നേട്ടംകൊയ്യാൻ ചൈന". Mathrubhumi. 26 September 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- ^ "GG Menon visits Vizhinjam International Transshipment Port". Motherport News. 31 December 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
- ^ "Adani Vizhiňňam Port: Phase 1 to come up by 2020". The Financial Express. 15 February 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
- ^ "Conceived 3 decades ago, Kerala's Vizhinjam port to be a reality by 2023". Hindustan Times. 13 February 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
- ^ "Kerala in pact with Adani for Rs 7,525-crore Vizhinjam port project". The Economic Times. PTI. 17 August 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
- ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
- ^ "Zhen Hua from China to be first cargo vessel to dock at Vizhinjam port". Moneycontrol. 11 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
- ^ Paul, Jose (29 December 2022). "Vizhinjam will make a good port". BusinessLine. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
- ^ "Vizhinjam Port". Adani Ports. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
- ^ "'Potential to compete with Singapore': How Adani Group's Vizhinjam Port is a maritime game changer for India". Business Today. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
- ^ "Adani's new mega port can lure world's biggest ships to India". Bloomberg. Deccan Herald. 15 October 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
- ^ "About Vizhinjam : Vizhinjam Port Project". www.vizhinjamport.org. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
- ^ Daily, Keralakaumudi. "Vizhinjam to beat Kochi to be cruise tourism hub in state". Keralakaumudi Daily. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
- ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
- ^ "'Potential to compete with Singapore': How Adani Group's Vizhinjam Port is a maritime game changer for India". Business Today. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
- ^ "Vizhinjam Port: വിഴിഞ്ഞം തുറമുഖത്തേക്ക് ആദ്യ കപ്പൽ ഒക്ടോബർ 15ന് എത്തും; സ്വീകരിക്കാനൊരുങ്ങി സംസ്ഥാന സർക്കാർ". India Today Malayalam (in Malayalam). Retrieved 12 October 2023.
- ^ Vengattil, Munsif; Chaturvedi, Arpan; Kalra, Aditya; Vengattil, Munsif; Kalra, Aditya (23 November 2022). "Insight: Indian tycoon Adani's mega port hangs in the balance as a fishing community protests". Reuters. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
- ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
- ^ "Explained: Why fisherfolk in Kerala are protesting Adani's under-construction Vizhinjam port". 23 August 2022.
- ^ "As parties hedge, Church backs fishermen's protest against Adani port project". 22 August 2022.
- ^ "Vizhinjam stir to be scaled up; KCBC backs plan".
- ^ "Vizhinjam protest resulted from our helplessness: Eugine H Pereira".
- ^ "Vizhinjam police station attack: Police book 3000 people, FIR cites damages worth Rs 85 lakh". English.Mathrubhumi. 28 November 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
- ^ "Vizhinjam police station violence: Kerala HC dismisses plea seeking NIA probe". The News Minute. 6 December 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
- ^ "Protest against Vizhinjam sea port called for now". The Economic Times. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
- ^ "വിഴിഞ്ഞം സമരം പിൻവലിച്ചു; തീരുമാനം മുഖ്യമന്ത്രിയുമായി നടത്തിയ ചർച്ചയിൽ" [Vizhinjam port protest called-off after meeting with Chief Minister]. Mathrubhumi (in Malayalam). 6 December 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
- ^ Saikiran, KP (22 February 2021). "Vizhinjam port: Govt appoints Kurian Joseph as arbitrator". The Times of India.
Further reading
- Joseph, Alphonsa; Beegom R. K., Bushra (2019). "Vizhinjam Through the Ages: Situating the Development of Vizhinjam Port" (PDF). Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology. 7: 531–545.
- MS, Nileena (22 October 2018). "Adani's Vizhinjam port still mired in controversy after inquiry into CAG report". The Caravan.
- Shainu Mohan; Steni Simon (1 January 2022). "Thiruvananthapuram ready for a leap". The New Indian Express.
- "Vizhinjam seaport project: ₹94.14 crore disbursed as compensation". The Hindu. 9 August 2021. ISSN 0971-751X.
- Soumya Bhowmick; Pratnashree Basu (23 November 2019). "Is India's Vizhinjam Port Plan Worth It?". The Diplomat.
- Joseph, Alphonsa (30 May 2019). "Development For Whom? The Vizhinjam Port and Fisherpeople's Woes". ALA (അല).