The Vizhinjam International Seaport Thiruvananthapuram[3] commonly known as Trivandrum Seaport (Malayalam:വിഴിഞ്ഞം അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര തുറമുഖം തിരുവനന്തപുരം) is India's first deep-water container transshipment port, India's first automated port and India's foremost port located adjacent to an international shipping route.The Trivandrum seaport is a multipurpose port which possesses the capability to host world's massive cargo ships such as vessels of the ULCS container ships like the MSC Irina and the Cruise Berth[4] constructing along the break water can accommodate the world's largest luxury cruise ships for docking, such as the Icon of the Seas, as of the year 2023.The seaport has a natural depth of 20 meters and is located just 10 nautical miles away from the busiest international east-west shipping channel connecting Europe,the Persian Gulf, and the Far East. The port's strategic location, as the only Indian port near the close proximity of international shipping channel, ensures easy access to global trade networks.The seaport is located 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) away from Trivandrum International Airport and is connected by India's third-longest railway tunnel, presently under construction phase. There is no littoral sedimentation and due to natural depth availability the site needs no dredging or minimal capital dredging requirements. Trivandrum seaport is categorized as an all-weather port, and its operational efficiency remains unaffected by the variations in high and low tide, due to its minimal tidal range variation. Each berth has the capacity to handle 18,000 TEU.The Port is under-construction on Arabian Sea – Laccadive Sea – Indian Ocean sea-route in the city of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala.Vizhinjam international seaport Thiruvananthapuram is a state owned port owned by the Government of Kerala and operated by the Adani Group.The origins of this port is traced back to the 8th century during the reign of the Ay dynasty.
| Vizhinjam International Seaport Thiruvananthapuram ( Trivandrum Seaport)തിരുവനന്തപുരം അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര തുറമുഖം | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Standort | |
| Land |  Indien |
| Standort | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Coordinates | 8°22′21″N 76°59′55″E / 8.37250°N 76.99861°E |
| UN/LOCODE | IN VZJ |
| Details | |
| Opened | Under Construction (will be commissioned in May 2024)[1] |
| Operated by | Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL) & Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt Ltd (AVPL) |
| Owned by | Government of Kerala |
| Type of harbour | Deep-Water Large Seaport |
| No. of berths | 30[2] |
| Draft depth | 24 m (79 ft) |
| Statistics | |
| Website www | |
Trivandrum Seaport will have an impact on existing cargo movement to other ports and will cater to transshipment. It will be the largest container port of Kerala. The majority of containers originating from or destined for India are typically transshipped or subjected to double handling at international ports such as Colombo in Sri Lanka, Salalah in Oman, Port of Jebel Ali in Dubai and Singapore Port. Trivandrum Seaport will primarily engage in competing with these international ports for container transshipment activities.
The Development of new port is in three phases, the first phase is expected to get completed by May 2024.It is proposed to follow the landlord port model,[5] with the intention of catering for passenger, container and other cargo shipping. The port is a special purpose government company, fully owned by the Government of Kerala, that would act as an implementing agency for the development of this greenfield port.
History
Early History
The history of Vizhinjam port can be traced back to the 8th century during the Ay dynasty.When the Ay dynasty was defeated by the Pandyas in the 8th century A.D., prompting their migration to Vizhinjam,Thiruvananthapuram. Several kings, including Chadayan Karunanthan (788 AD), Karunanthadakkkan "Srivallabha," and Vikramaditya "Varaguna" (who ruled around 884–911/920 AD), are known to have served as the Ay chiefs of the Vizhinjam port.
1900 to 2000
The idea for a new port at Vizhinjam was first mooted by Travancore Diwan Ramaswami Iyer.A survey was carried out a survey in a country craft way back in the 1940s. However the present under-construction port was originally conceived about 30 years ago.
In the later stages,Eliyas John, along with Vizhinjam Mother Port Action Committee initiated regular sensitization program aimed at both the public and government authorities to foster a better understanding of the imperative need for the establishment of this port.
2000 to Present
The initial project model was suggested as a Public Private Partnership (PPP)- Private Services model. Two rounds of bidding and tenders called under the PPP model failed because of the inherent possibility of the project's economic rationale. The first round was granted to a Chinese company that failed to get security clearance from the centre. The second round was first awarded to Lanco Group and was then challenged in the Kerala High Court by Zoom Developers, which led to the eventual withdrawal of Lanco Group. The Kerala cabinet on 10 June 2015 decided to award the project to Adani Ports and SEZ, the sole bidder.[6]
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is currently[when?] 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 Welspun Group requested a grant of about ₹480 crore (equivalent to ₹905 crore or US$110 million in 2023) in terms of Net Present Value over 16 years. In negotiations between the state government and the Welspun Group, Welspun agreed to reduce the grant to 400 Crores. Kerala State Government rejected this offer because the terms of the PPP saw no economic rationale for the State Government.
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 Oommen Chandy. in 2015. At the time of awarding the project, it was expected to completed in 1000 days.[7]
Eigenschaften
India's first Deep Water Transshipment Terminal will be developed in three distinct phases.
- It is located at a distance of 10 nautical miles from the international East-West shipping channel.
- The seaport has the capability to accommodate the world's largest ships for berthing, such as vessels of the ULCS container ships like MSC Irina and the Cruise ships such as Wonder of the Seas, as of 2023.
- The port features a natural depth of 20 meters.
- There is no littoral sedimentation.
- Due to the naturally available depth, there is no need for extensive dredging or only minimal capital dredging is required at the site.
- Its operational efficiency remains consistent, unaffected by variations in high and low tide, due to the minimal tidal Variations.
- The first Automated Port in India.
- Trivandrum Seaport is an all weather Port.
- A dedicated 500-meter-long Multipurpose berth designed for luxury cruise ships.
- Breakwater of total length 3,180 (main breakwater 3,040m with 140m extension for fish landing harbor) to be developed in Phase-1.
- Container berth length of 800m capable of handling up to the current largest 18,000 TEU container vessels.
- Container yard behind the quay length with a depth of up to 500m.
- Port craft berth of 100m and Coast Guard berth of 120m length.
- Berthing and Storage/ operation facilities for Indian Navy with berth length 500m.
- Fish landing center with a total berth length of 500m.
Connectivity
Road Connectivity
The Trivandrum Seaport has good connectivity to the rest of the country through NH 66 connected with the port. National Highway NH 66 traverses through the district, situated at an approximate distance of 3 kilometers from the shoreline, running almost parallel to the coast linking various key destinations. NH 47 primarily connects Salem to Kanyakumari and further extends its reach to Kochi through NH 47A. To the north, it connects to Mumbai through NH 17. Within Trivandrum , major urban centers include Trivandrum in the north and Nagercoil and Kanyakumari in the south, all accessible via NH 47. Additionally, the highway provides connectivity to significant towns such as Thrissur, Palakkad, Kollam, and Alappuzha within Kerala, as well as Coimbatore and Salem in Tamil Nadu.For broader access, NH 47 is linked to Chennai and other parts of the country through NH 7 and NH 4, enhancing the district's national connectivity. Notably, construction efforts are underway to extend the NH 47 bypass road from Trivandrum, with plans to extend it further to Parassala, facilitating enhanced transportation infrastructure within the region.
Rail Terminal
The third longest railway tunnel in India links the Trivandrum Seaport 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 Trivandrum Seaport will traverse the tunnel in a mere 36 minutes, maintaining an average speed of 15-30 kilometers per hour (kmph). The integration of Trivandrum 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 Konkan Railway route opens up access to the western states. The southern coastal route ensures efficient rail connectivity to Tamil Nadu and various other regions, thereby contributing significantly to the nation's transportation infrastructure.
Airport Terminal
Trivandrum International Airport is situated within 16 kilometers from Trivandrum Seaport, the geographical proximity facilitates efficient passenger and air cargo transportation. The airport and seaport have Adani Group as the same administrative authority. This cohesive administration further enhances the synergy and coordination between these critical transportation hubs, contributing to seamless connectivity and streamlined operations.
Trivandrum International 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. Visitors can embark on tours to nearby destinations such as Kovalam,Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram, and the famous Padmanabhaswamy Temple.
In the Vizhinjam Cruise Terminal( Trivandrum Terminal)stands as a remarkable testament to Kerala's commitment to enhancing its maritime infrastructure and promoting tourism. With its world-class facilities and strategic location, it continues to attract travelers from across the globe, contributing to the growth and prosperity of the region. The terminal will have two cruise berth which is 500m in length. The first berth is in first phase and the second one is in the third phase. The Berth is capable of accommodating the largest cruise ship in the world. The terminal is currently under construction by Adani Ports
Crew Change
Trivandrum Seaport, situated at a distance of fewer than 10 nautical miles, provides a convenient point of call for vessels navigating through the Indian Ocean region for crew change requirements which is finished within 4 hours. Moreover, the proximity of Trivandrum International Airport, located just 16 kilometers from the seaport, further enhances the ease of crew change operations. Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Trivandrum Seaport facilitated the embarkation of 2,807 crew members into service, while 2,737 individuals disembarked as part of these crew change operations.
Protests by locals
The local fishing communities had been protesting against the port allegedly abusing their human rights which intensified in August 2022. The biggest demand of the protesters is that the construction of the Rs 7,525-crore deepwater port and container transhipment terminal at Port of Trivandrum on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram should be stopped and a proper environmental impact study should be carried out. The community has also put forward six other demands: (i) rehabilitation of families who lost their homes to sea erosion, (ii) effective steps to mitigate coastal erosion, (iii) financial assistance to fisherfolk on days weather warnings are issued, (iv) compensation to families of those who lose their lives in fishing accidents, (v) subsidised kerosene, and (vi) a mechanism to dredge the Muthalappozhi fishing harbour in Anchuthengu in Thiruvananthapuram district. The locals claim that more than 100 families lost their homes to coastal erosion last year, but there is no official data on the relocated families except for some church records. Around 300 families were living in schools and camps, and many others were staying in rented accommodation or with relatives. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Trivandrum has been in the forefront of the protest.[8][9][10] The Hindu Dheevara community as well as several environmental activists are supporting the protest.[11]
On 27 November 2022 night, some protesters attacked Vizhinjam police station, leaving over 30 policemen on-duty injured.[12] Attackers were demanding the release of five protesters who had been detained the previous day.[13]
On 6 December 2022, the protests were called-off after a series of talks held between the protesters and the government.[14][15]
Legal disputes
The state of Kerala and the Gujarat-based 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. Currently[when?], the parties have agreed to enter into an arbitration to resolve the dispute.[16]
See also
References
- ^ "Vizhinjam Port to be fully commissioned at May 2024". India Times.
- ^ "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". Manorama. Manorama. 20 September 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
- ^ https://vizhinjamport.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Executed-Concession-Agreement-Development-Vizhinjam-International-Seaport-17-Aug-15.pdf
- ^ Manoj, P. (2 September 2016). "Move to landlord port model means privatizing state-run cargo berths". mint. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
- ^ "Adani Vizhiňňam Port: Phase 1 to come up by 2020". The Financial Express. 15 February 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
- ^ "Kerala in pact with Adani for Rs 7,525-crore Vizhinjam port project". The Economic Times. PTI. 17 August 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
- ^ "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).