Submitted on 13 November 2020

Cochin Port handles Chemical Products like Liquid Ammonia, Methanol, Ethylene Dichloride (EDC) etc., at two berths. One of the berths is called South Coal Berth (SCB), which was commissioned in the year 1953. Till very recently, the berth was used for handling liquid ammonia of Fertilizer & Chemicals Travancore Limited (FACT, a Government of India Undertaking) and their liquid storage tanks near the berth are spread over an area of 1 hectare.

 

The SCB is in a damaged condition due to ageing and corrosion. As the structure is beyond economical repairs and also outlived its economic life, a Health Check-up Study was got conducted by M/s. National Technological Centre for Ports, Waterways & Coasts (NTCPWC, IIT, Madras), the extended arm of Ministry of Shipping, and they have recommended demolition and reconstruction the SCB to meet the durability and strength requirements. As such, it is proposed to reconstruct SCB to facilitate handling of chemicals.

 

The proposed reconstruction of SCB consists of: (i) Construction of Berthing Jetty  of size 110m x 12m on 1000mm dia piles founded at -46.70m CD; (ii) Construction of Approach Trestle of size 48m x 7mon 800mm dia piles founded at -40.70m CD; (iii) Demolition of Existing Jetty including cutting piles, to the extent required for construction of the proposed structures;  (iv) Laying Concrete Road to Approach Trestle;  and (iv) Electrical works consisting  of modification to the existing 11 KV distribution system to provide lighting on the Berth and Approaches Trestle etc.  The Berthing Structure is designed for a vessel of maximum size of 35,000DWT, 9.14m draft, 183.6m LoA and 27.60m beam.

 

The total estimated cost of the Project works out to about Rs.19.19 Crores. MoS on 13/12/2019 conveyed the in-principle approval of Competent Authority of MoS for funding 50% of Project Cost/ Tendered Cost, whichever is less, under Sagarmala Scheme. Out of the balance, 25% will be advanced by the main user agency viz., M/s. FACT (amount to be adjusted against future wharfage / berth hire charges) and the remaining 25% will be shared by CoPT.  The Project Cost is revised to Rs. 20.90 Crores on preparation of detailed estimate after preliminary design by the consultants, NTCPWC.

 

The Project is expected to be implemented within a period of 17 months. As before, the reconstructed SCB will also be operated and maintained by Cochin Port Trust. 

The work of “Re-Construction of South Coal Berth at Cochin Port on EPC Contract Basis” has been awarded to the contractors M/s KVJ Builders & Developers Pvt. Ltd., Kochi a contract value of Rs.17,70,55,267.50 on 19/11/2020. The work is commenced on 26/11/2020 and completed on 17-08-2022. 

The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India laid foundation stone of the project on 14-02-2021. 

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"SCB"

 

Last updated :: 02/01/2023, -11:56