Fourth terminal for Cochin Port, India

India’s Cochin Port Trust (CPT) plans to set up a fourth cement terminal in Willingdon Island.

The new terminal, with a capacity of 100,000t, will be built in response to demand from major cement companies and will be located on 3.19ha of leased land at the north side of Mattanchery wharf.

“The interest shown by companies to set up and operate terminals indicates a positive change in attitude towards investment in the port sector, especially in Kochi. It may be noted that there has not been any strike or work interruption at the port during the last three years,” said CPT authorities.

Zuari Cements had won the bid to develop the third cement-handling terminal, quoting an amount of INR500m in the auction for the 36,000t facility, which is located on 2.14ha of land near the Q5 berth of Ernakulam Wharf. The cement producer also pays an annual fee off INR660,000 to the port trust and will have to install loading, unloading and bagging equipment.

The port’s first terminal is being operated by Ambuja Cement with a capacity of 30,000tpa while UltraTech is currently developing the second, 20,000t unit.

Output from the terminals is destined for the Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu markets, according to port authorities.