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V. Sajeev Kumar

Business district to house existing units part of proposals

Kochi May 7 Transcare Logistics India Pvt Ltd, that had submitted the business development plan for the Cochin Port Trust, has suggested formation of a business district at the south end reclamation area to accommodate the existing business establishments in the back up area of the Ernakulam wharf.

The first phase will include development of nine hectares, with a pilot project of two hectares to test the market acceptance of the proposed facilities in the port. The port has around 300 acres of vacant land in the south end reclamation near Thevara.

The consultants also suggested upgradation of Willingdon Island by strengthening the Ernakulam wharf and increasing the back-up area in the wharf from Q-5 to Q-9 berths. To solve one of the major bottlenecks in port operations, the company recommended migrating port activities and upgrading the port area.

Proposals

It is pointed out that the crude and container handling will migrate to Puthuvypeen and Vallarpadam areas shortly and the vacant berths following the shifting of activities should be utilised by the port properly.

It is proposed that Q-1 to Q-4 berths can be utilised for break bulk and Q-5 to Q-9 for dry bulk. The South coal berth and the North coal berth can handle other liquid bulk, whereas the BTP jetty can accommodate cruise vessels.

The consultants also recommended that the consulting study proposed to be undertaken for the cruise terminal would be substantial in finalising the location, business model, facilities, etc.

Distribution park

The distribution park at Vallarpadam aims at developing modern food processing units in the port-based SEZ and optimising the supply chain of cargo owners.

The main activities proposed in the park are consolidation and distribution of cargo. To a lesser extent, the park will be used as a storage facility.

The action steps for implementation are: to create a detailed layout planning; apply for relevant subsidies/grants to increase the profitability of the operation of the distribution park; develop an operational concept for train hinterland connection; set up co-operation with inter-modal operators and logistics providers; install professional marketing entity for branding and roadshows.

Hinterland plan

On the hinterland connectivity, the consultants suggested that there is a potential to develop a hinterland hub in Erode, to consolidate railway volumes from different ports in the South such as the Kochi, Tuticorin and the upcoming Vizhinjam and Kolachel ports.

To develop this hub, the port has to look for partners in the liberalised railway sector as well as at the other ports.

The other recommendations included that a new organisation structure with focus on multi-functional operations be put in place, recruitments be held with VRS, conducting annual employee satisfaction surveys, and salaries of port personnel be made comparable to market standards.

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