DP World’s high stakes investment at Cochin Port – the Vallarpadam Terminal – features all the essential traits required of a full-fledged efficient transhipment hub, except for a competitive port call pricing. However, with mounting shipper demand for a more competitive market environment, that inadequacy has now caught the eyes of the country’s policymakers.
Keeping the larger transhipment hub development in mind, Indian transport stakeholders have outlined a multipronged strategy to bolster Vallarpadam’s position in the region. The suggested measures include:
- Resetting Cochin marine rates to be on par with Colombo or even lower
- Deepening the fairway to 16 mts (53 feet) with additional dredging investment
- Furthering quay side infrastructure upgrades by the concessionaire
- Expanding rail connectivity and introducing barge transport to speed cargo clearance
