K V Thomas, the special representative of the Kerala government in New Delhi, has requested the Ministry for Ports, Shipping & Waterways for funding to deepen the ICTT Vallarpadam, which is essential for berthing of mother ships. The project cost is estimated at Rs.800 Cr. Earlier, the central government had agreed to fund 50% of the project cost, but the port authority is unable to arrange the remaining 50% of the funding. The port authority is in the process of appointing consultants to conduct a detailed study on the draft deepening, with the report expected within three months.
Currently, the draft at Vallarpadam is only 14.5 m, and the berth length is 600 m. A minimum draft of 16 m is required to accommodate large vessels capable of carrying between 15,000 TEUs to 21,000 TEUs. The arrival of mother ships is expected to boost the transshipment business, benefitting the commercial community of Kerala.
