The Hindu Business Line : Kochi port signs MoU with IWAI for barge service

Kochi, Oct. 9 Cochin Port Trust and Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) have signed a memorandum of understanding for operating Ro Ro/Lo Lo (Roll On-Roll Off/Lift On-Lift Off) barge service for transportation of containers between Willingdon and Vallarpadam Islands.

Modern IW (Inland Waterway) terminals being established at Willingdon and Bolghatty to facilitate the service will help to link all the 11 existing NW3 (National Waterway-3) terminals from Kollam to Kottappuram with the new port logistic chain leading to Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal.

According to the MoU, the Port Trust will provide the required land for the jetties and parking yards at the two terminals. The IWAI will finance the construction of the terminals comprising the jetties, parking yards and road connectivity to the terminals.

The modern terminals are designed to cater to both Ro Ro and Lo Lo vessels to optimise time of operation and enhance transfer capacity of containers between Vallarpadam and Willingdon Islands. The terminals will be equipped with container cranes to service the Lo Lo barges. The design and construction of the jetties are undertaken by the port for which Rs 16.63 crore has been granted by IWAI.

It is expected that two million tonnes of cargo will be moved through NW3 in the first year of operation after the two new terminals at the port are commissioned.