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Kochi , Nov. 14

COCHIN Port Staff Association has urged the Board of Trustees of the port to appoint a maritime expert as adviser to the port for processing and setting up the proposed container transhipment terminal at Vallarpadam.

The association, one of the largest trade unions in the port, in a statement issued here, said that the Board had earlier authorised the port Chairman to find out an appropriate model other than BOT (build, operate, transfer) to set up the project under consultation with the Ministry or any other expert organisation or person.

It, however, felt that the port management lacked expert advice to steer the project in the right direction and the appointment of an expert, who is familiar with both national and international terminal operators, would facilitate speedy implementation of the project.

The objective of the private terminal operators, who had evinced interest in the project, is to bargain for more concessions by way of demoralising the port and the Government at large by way of projecting flimsy reasons on viability angle, the association alleged.

It suggested to the management that the Vallarpadam may be set up as the port's own project after modernising the existing container terminal. It is expected that through the Viable Gap Funding scheme, the Ministry may finance for rail/road connectivity and dredging to increase the depth of the channel. If such infrastructure is developed, it is easy for the port to modernise the existing terminal by purchasing new cranes and other allied infrastructure.

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