Kerala News: PPP mode chosen to develop assets under ports department

Kochi: The Kerala government has decided to develop assets under the ports department, including 16 non-major ports in the state, in public-private partnership mode. Kerala Maritime Board has appointed the consultancy arm of Kerala State Electricity Board to select project monitoring consultants to prepare project proposals for asset development. KSEB has already invited proposals for this purpose. “There is huge potential for development of maritime assets once Vizhinjam port becomes operational,” Kerala Maritime Board Chairman NS Pillai said. “There are 16 non-major ports under the Ports Department. Development of non-major ports requires huge investment and we are limited in implementing the projects due to lack of funds. There is huge potential for employment generation and income generation. The private investor “will develop and operate the projects for 30 years.” One of the most important projects is to design, construct and operate a floating dry dock in Kollam. “We have assessed the dry dock capacity and demand for the facility. “Considering the limited number of dry docks in the country, there is an urgent need for a state-of-the-art floating dry dock facility for repairs and maintenance.” Ships with overall length of 100 to 110 metres. Besides, there will also be great potential for development of a dry dock next to Vizhinjam port,” Pillai said. As a means of generating revenue, the Ports Department has leased out its assets, including land, buildings and warehouses, to private parties. There is huge development potential in the coastal lands under Kerala Maritime Board in Valiyathura, Kozhikode and Kasaragod. Private investors can set up hotels, conference centres, maritime museums and fish processing units on these assets. The project is also expected to increase coastal tourism. Kerala Maritime Board has held talks with Shipping Corporation of India on the possibility of starting passenger ship services connecting the Middle East and Kerala. The plan is to operate hybrid ships with cruise and cargo facilities. The boats will operate up to Kochi and Beypore. The Maritime Board will appoint a project monitoring consultant to study the feasibility of the project, after which a global tender will be launched to invite operators. A private cruise operator has come forward expressing interest in operating cruise services connecting four non-major ports in Kerala. After receiving permission from the Maritime Board, the operator is looking for a local investor. Non-major ports in Kerala Thalassery, Kannur, Nileshwar, Manjeshwar, Kasaragod, Azhikkal, Ponnani, Beypore, Kozhikode, Vadakara, Alappuzha, Kodungallur, Kollam, Kayamkulam, Neendarkara and Valiyathura are the non-major ports of Kerala. Plans are underway to develop dry dock facility at Kollam, hotels at Valiyathura, Kozhikode and convention centre.