Due to the proximity to international maritime routes, transshipment of EXIM containers used to take place largely in foreign Ports like Colombo, Dubai, Singapore, Salalah.
To arrest this trend, the Government has developed an International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadam in Cochin Port which is operational from February, 2011.
Three Major Ports i.e. Chennai, Ennore and Vishakapatnam have navigational channel having more than 17 metres draft and are capable of handling larger vessels. Also the Government has been providing subsidy to meet the cost of maintenance dredging in Kolkata Port which is a riverine Port with a very long navigational channel.
The Government has also been providing budgetary support to major ports to undertake capital dredging projects.
Moreover, all Major Ports are given annual targets for dredging which is closely monitored by the Government.
This information was given by Shri G.K. Vasan, Union Minister for Shipping, in a written reply to a question in the Loksabha.
[mappress]
Press Release, April 29, 2013