COCHIN PORT TRUST Cochin Port is one of the major ports in India which is located on the South west coast of India, in the state of Kerala. The Port of Cochin, a natural harbour is also known as the ‘Queen of Arabian Sea’. It is an all-weather port located on the vast expanse of back waters formed by the confluence of two major water sources namely, Vembanad Lake and Periyar river discharging into sea through an opening in the shore called ‘Cochin Gut’. The Cochin Port Trust is an autonomous body under The Major Port Trusts Act of 1963. The central government constitutes a Board of trustees, responsible for management of the port. The government of India from time to time nominate the trustees in the Board representing various interests. The Major Port Trusts Act 1963, makes provision for the constitution of the Cochin Port Trust to vest the administration, control and management of the port. HISTORY The Cochin Port was formed naturally due to the great floods of Periyar in 1341 A.D, which choked the Muziris port (Kodungallur), one of the greatest ports in ancient world. Ever since the choking of Muzaris, Cochin became one of major ports with extensive trading relations with Romans, Greeks and Arabs. The port further attracted European colonists like Portuguese, Dutch and finally British who extended their supremacy over Kochi kingdom and the port city of Fort Kochi. The traditional port was located near Mattancherry which is now called as Mattancherry Wharf. The modern port of Cochin was developed during the period 1920 – 1940 due to the untiring efforts of Sir Robert Bristow. He planned out a detailed proposal of reclaiming part of the backwaters at a cost of Rs.2.5 crores. An ad-hoc committee appointed by the Madras government examined and approved the plans submitted by Robert Bristow. The strong determination of Sir Bristow and his team, finally paid success, when large steam ship SS Padma, sailed into sailing from newly constructed inner Harbour of Kochi. In 1932, the Maritime Board of British India declared port of Cochin as a major port. The port was opened to all vessels up to 30 feet draught. After Independence, the port was taken over by Government of India. In 1964, the administration of the port got vested in a Board of trustees under the Major Ports Trusts act. The port was listed as one among 12 major ports in India. LOCATION Port of Cochin is located on the Willington Island at Latitude 9degrees 58’ north and Longitude 76degrees 14’ east on the south-west coast of India about 930 km south of Mumbai and 320 km north of Kanyakumari. The Cochin port is located strategically close to the busiest international sea routes 1) Gulf to Singapore and Far East (Distance from Cochin port – 11 Nautical miles) 2) Suez to Singapore/ Far East (Distance from Cochin port – 74 Nautical miles) Amongst all major Indian ports, Cochin is the closest to the international East West shipping routes. This geo-strategic location of Cochin gives it a distinct advantage. HINTERLAND With the strategic location of the port on the south-west coast of India and at a commanding position at the roads of the east-west ocean trade, the port is a natural gateway to the vast industrial and agricultural produce markets of the south-west India. The hinterland of the port includes the whole of Kerala state and parts of Tamilnadu and Karnataka state. The hinterland of the Cochin Port has further spread over to different areas with the growth of containerization in the country and establishment of Inland container depots at different load centres in India. Cochin with its Proximity to the international sea route between Europe and the Far East and Australia can attract a large number of container lines offering immense sailing opportunities. FACILITIES AT COCHIN PORT STORAGE FACILITY COVERED AREA (Transit Sheds and Overflow sheds) Location Total Sheds Area (Sq.m) Mattanchery 6 19160 Wharf Ernakulam 5 13200 Wharf Container 1 10000 Freight Station Grand Total 12 42360 COVERED AREA (Warehouses) Location Total Sheds Area (Sq.m) Mattanchery 4 11800 Wharf Ernakulam 1 2980 Wharf Cement Godown 1 1000 BTP 1 6000 Grand Total 7 21780 BERTH INFORMATION The main inward shipping channel of the port divides in to the Ernakulam and Mattancherry channels .The Ernakulum Channel is 4.90 Km long, with the width varying from 250 to 500 m and has a draft of 12.5 m up to the Oil Terminal and RGCT and a draft of 9.14 m up to the wharves and the north and south tanker berths.. The 1024 m long Ernakulam Wharf has six alongside berths, out of which three are utilized as a full-fledged container terminal, two for general cargo and a fertilizer berth. Besides there are three oil berths in the Ernakulum channel. The Mattancherry channel is 4.08 Km long, with the width varying from 180 to 250 m and a draft of 9.14 m except at Boat Train Pier where the draft is 10.0 m. On the Mattancherry Channel there are four alongside berths, for general cargo, one Boat Train Pier and two jetties for miscellaneous cargo. The details of the berths (including SPM) are shown below. BERTH / Maximum Maximum Maximum Maximum Products MOORING Length overall Draft (m) Deadweight Displacement Handled (m) (M/T) (M/T) SPM 370 22.50 300000 340000 Crude COT 250 12.50 115000 150000 Crude / POL NTB 213 9.14 30000 40000 Crude / POL STB 170 9.14 20000 27000 POL ERNAKULAM 250 10.00 20000 27000 Dry Cargo / WHARF (Q5 - CBFS Q6) ERNAKULAM 250 10.50 20000 27000 Containers* WHARF (Q7) ERNAKULAM 250 12.50 35000 45000 Containers* WHARF(Q8 - Q9) FERTILIZER 207 10.70 60000 80000 Fertilisers / BERTH (Q 10) Phos. Acid SCB 170 9.14 15000 22000 Liquid Bulk NCB 170 9.14 15000 22000 Dry /Liquid Bulk B.T.P 200 10.00 35000 45000 Dry /Liquid Bulk MATTANCHE 180 9.14 16000 21000 Dry Bulk RRY WHARF (Q1- Q4) PORT FLOTILLA Tugs The following tugs are available in Cochin normally two tugs are used for each shipping movement as per the requirement of the Pilot and the cost of the tug is included in the Pilotage charges. TUG BUILT PROPULSION BOLLARD PULL BAALI 1998 Twin screw 32 Tons cycloidal KODUNGALLOR 1983 Twin screw 30 Tons E cycloidal COCHIN II 1983 Twin screw 30 Tons Kort Nozzle VALLARPADAM 2008 Twin screw 45 Tons cycloidal VYPEEN 2008 Twin screw 45 Tons cycloidal Tugs work on VHF Channel 14. Mooring launches Four mooring launches are available for passing mooring lines at Tanker, Coal and fertilizer (Q10) berths. On other berths mooring lines are passed by heaving lines. Pilot Boats 3 Pilot boats of 13.5 m Length of Red Hull and White Superstructure with PILOTS embossed on the sides. Dredgers Grab Hopper Dredger NEHRU SHATABDI 1992 built with 1500 m3 hopper capacity. Floating Crane Periyar 1966 built self-propelled crane of 100 M.T. SWL for use in the inner harbour only. Water Barge Jalaprabha 1996 built of 200 M.T. capacity for supply of F.W. to ships in Inner Harbour. SINGLE POINT MOORING Single Point Mooring for Crude Oil Import Kochi Refineries Ltd (BPCl-KRL) has set up a Single Point Mooring System (SPM) as captive reception for the import of Crude oil. The facility is capable of receiving Very large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) of 300,000 DWT. The SPM is connected by a pipeline of 19.5 km to tank storage facilities at Puthuvypeen. The SPM is located at a water depth of 30 m, about 19 km from the coastline of Puthuvypeen. The depth of 30 m will allow 300000 DWT tankers with draughts of over 21 m to remain moored during virtually all wind and wave conditions. The SPM is connected to the shore by a 48 inch pipeline that runs to a storage facility comprising 4 tanks of 80,000 Kl each. The total area of the facility is 70 hectares, which provides room for two more storage tanks of 80,000 Kl capacity. The facility became fully operational in December 2007. Location SPM: 18.7 km (10 Nm) off Puthuvypeen shore Shore Tank Farm: Puthuvypeen SEZ area Land Area 70 ha Developer BPCL-KR Details of Facilities SPM for receiving VLCC of 3 lakhs tonnes 48'' dia submarine pipeline connecting SPM to shore Tank Farm Tank farm for storage and pumping facilities at Puthuvypeen 30'' Cross country pipeline from tank farm to Refinery. Investment Total Investment: Rs. 703.34 crores Present Status Facility has been operationalized in December 2007 SERVICE FACILITY Bunkering Bunker supply can be done at all berths by barge/trucks/pipeline. All major oil companies undertakes supplies which is arranged through agents. Pipe Line Network Separate pipelines laid at SCB & NCB for handling liquid cargo like Palmolien, CNSL (Cashew Nut Shell Liquid) and Chemicals. Pipelines are available at Tanker berths for handling Crude oil & Petroleum Products. At Q5, pipelines are laid for handling Carbon Black Feed Stock(CBFS). Flexible hoses are available for use at Tanker berths & NCB. COCHIN PORT ADVANTAGES MODERATE CLIMATE The Port is situated on the Willingdon Island which is an artificial Island tucked inside the Backwaters. The backwaters offer calm and placid channels for ships throughout the year, even during the Monsoon season.Cochin lies beyond the cyclone zone and therefore the risk of cyclones is negligible OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY 24 Hour Pilotage 24 hour Cargo Operations Real-Time co-ordination of vessel movement through VTMS Single Window Transaction Moving towards Zero Pre-Berthing Detention Time.