(a) whether it is a fact that India is not having facilities to receive bigger international vessels at any port;
(b) whether it is also a fact that most of ports` business is attracted by small countries like Colombo, Singapore etc. since they have the trans-shipment facility;
(c) if so, whether the Government propose to provide such trans-shipment facility at any one of the major ports in the country;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING (SHRI SU. THIRUNAVUKKARASAR)
(a) to (e): Major portion of container traffic from India is trans-shipped mainly through ports in neighbouring areas like Colombo, Singapore and the Gulf region. One of the reasons for trans-shipment at outside ports is the limited draft at Indian Major Ports which do not allow handling of mainline, present and future generation, large vessels. Therefore, the Government has decided to set up an International Trans-shipment Container Terminal at Vallarpadam, Cochin. A lone bid received for development and operation of this Terminal is under consideration of the Government.