Dear colleagues,

Though the economic downturn due to the pandemic had its repercussions in the logistics sector during the last financial year, the trends indicate the revival of the logistics and transport industry in the current financial year. 

This is greatly reflected in the cargo handling in Cochin Port too. The port registered a total throughput of 10.10 MMT in 2021-22 (Apr-Jul), attaining a growth of 30.10% over the corresponding period of 2020-21, when the COVID-19 pandemic had seriously impacted the throughput. POL registered a 5.92 MMT throughput and Container, 2.20 Lakh TEUs in 2021-22 (Apr-Jul), growing by 30.23% and 31.65% respectively over the corresponding period of 2020-21. This growth is indeed very encouraging and we hope to achieve the targeted throughput by the end of the financial year.

During the pandemic period we were able to help the health care sector in their efforts to fight the Covid-19 by ensuring speedy handling of liquid medical oxygen (LMO) that reached Cochin Port by ships and trains for onward distribution in the state of Kerala. The handling charges of LMO (including vessel related charges, storage charges etc) were exempted as per the directions of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The Covid-19 hospital with 102 oxygen beds set up at Samudrika Hall of Cochin Port in coordination with Corporation of Cochin continues to function for the benefit of the Covid patients in the City.

The pandemic turned out as an opportunity for organisations to accelerate the pace of innovation, transformation and reconfiguration with a view to optimise the cost and efficiency of the processes and functioning for survival. We at Cochin Port are doing our best to improve the efficiency at work by imbibing increased use of information technology. But we need to strive harder to offer cost effective services by optimising productivity in order to attract more business.

The efforts taken by the frontline workers of Cochin Port to keep the port services uninterrupted throughout the pandemic period are remarkable. I heartily commend the commitment shown by them during the difficult times.

Let us usher in the New Year of Malayalam Era with greater optimism for a robust year ahead and deeper commitment to achieve new milestones.

I wish you all a Happy Onam.

Best wishes,

Dr. M. Beena IAS