Vallarpadam terminal serves biggest ship to call India

Monday, 25 July 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Kochi: The International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) operated by DP World at Vallarpadam last week witnessed the berthing of the largest-ever container vessel to call on a South Indian port.

The Singaporean flagged vessel Maersk Sembawang has a length of 319 metres and with a capacity of 6,478 TEUs; it is also the largest Maersk Line Vessel to call in India. The previous largest container ship was also a Maersk Line vessel, the Maersk Kalamata, which berthed at the Chennai Port

(length of 303.83 metres, capacity of 6,416 TEUs).

Anil Singh, Senior Vice-President and Managing Director of DP World subcontinent, said in a statement that the ICTT with its crucial location in the subcontinent, is fast emerging as an important catalyst to India’s growing trade and to meet the ambitious target of the Ministry of Shipping’s Maritime Agenda 2020.

Speaking on the occasion, K. K. Krishnadas, Chief Executive Officer, DP World Kochi, said Maersk Line’s decision to bring the Maersk Sembawang to Kochi reflects the growing faith of global shipping lines in the potential of the infrastructure at the Kochi port.

Equipped with the most modern equipment and dedicated rail connectivity with hinterland destinations, ICTT offers customers a unique value proposition. Connecting key South Indian markets, the port has convenient access through rail, road and sea, making it a crucial backbone to the South Indian hinterland, which contributes to a quarter of India’s trade volume.

Barging operations using the inland waterways of Kerala, give the terminal safer and eco-friendly connections to the markets, seldom seen in most other terminals, he said.