KOCHI, 24 November 2007 — Cochin Port is all set to become India’s first e-port, installing a totally integrated computer-driven operations system.
The integrated Port Information System (iPINS) using a SAP-based comprehensive ERP (enterprise resource planning) will ensure simpler, faster, transparent and more user-friendly services, Cochin Port Trust Chairman N. Ramachandran said.
Christened “e-thuramukam”, it will help the port to improve its business processes and work practices, closely monitor the performance in all areas of operations and management and provide improved levels of operations and efficient service delivery to its internal and external customers.
“By the implementation of ‘e-thuramukam’ Kochi will become the first major port in the country to work on a fully-integrated computerized system. The port is integrating its operational, financial, estate and human resource systems through this project, which will have real time interface with customs, port users, banks and the port community system,” he said.
The system, being implemented by the software major Tata Consultancy Services, provides a single-window facility for filing applications, receiving service bills, payments and inquiries. The port is using satellite-imaging system for monitoring the geographical aspects of the port.
“The project will meet the expectations of global standards of service to the shipping and export/import community. The scope of this project is quite comprehensive aimed at meeting the business objectives and imperatives considering the increase in traffic and the round-the-clock operations. Moreover, the expectations of the port users for accurate and quick settlement and cargo clearance also warranted the need for external integration of the port system,” he said.
The port’s container transshipment terminal is currently being operated by Dubai’s DP World, which is also developing India’s first international container transshipment terminal (ICTT) in a greenfield area nearby.
The Rs.8 billion single buoy mooring (SBM) facility at the port will become functional early next month enabling it to handle very large crude carriers (VLCCs) that will help optimize the import costs.
Ramachandran said the ICTT that is expected to be commissioned in 2009 would attract cargo from not only the south but India’s northern industrial belts as well. India currently depends on ports like Colombo, Dubai and Singapore for transshipment. The Kochi ICTT would be able to handle vessels of up to 8000 twenty equivalent units (TEU) capacity.
Initiating major projects as part of the National Maritime Development Plan was the other component of the port’s strategy. Investments worth Rs.75 billion are spread over the LNG Re-gasification Terminal, International Bunkering Terminal, International Ship Repair Complex, SBM, International Cruise Terminal, Port-based SEZ and the ICTT.
He said the proposed cruise terminal had received all environmental clearances and the work would start soon. With 39 luxury liners anchoring at the port last year, Kochi has turned into a key port of call for leisure travelers.
The cruise ships that visited the port last year include Minerva, Queen Elizabeth II, Legend of Seas, Song of Flower, Renaissance VIII, Rotterdam Vi, Island Princess, Maxim Gorky, Crystal Symphony, Europa, Silver Cloud, Marco Polo, Royal Star, Victoria and Oriana.
“We consider cruise as a major business prospect. We are committed to converting the port into a leading cruise destination on the Indian coast offering services of international standards,” he said. “We offer a single-window solution to the needs of cruise operators and travelers. A confessional tariff is also in force”.
The port offers a host of amenities to cater to cruise vessels like “walk in” berthing, sufficient draft, bunkering services and a single-window service for customs, immigration and health clearances.
“We aim at being the major cruise destination on the east-west sea trade route from Europe to Australia offering services of comparable international standards. The proposal for laying an international standard golf course on the port premises is also on the anvil,” he added.
On the apprehensions expressed by the India Gateway Terminal Ltd (IGT) of the DP World, which executes the ICTT project under a BOT arrangement with the Port Trust, Ramachandran said extraneous elements were trying to foment trouble. This was being dealt with sternly while looking into genuine demands of workers at the same time.
“There were other things beyond the control of the Trust, like the tanker strike, which affected container traffic at the port. A recent 30-hour strike by port workers had provoked IGT into issuing a letter of concern to the trust,” he said.
He said 80 percent of land acquisition for the 18-km national highway connectivity and the 8-km rail link was over and work on both has started. Most of the land belonged to the greenfield stretch of the port.
