Adani with huge offer, ships will leave Colombo and flow to Vizhinjam

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Adani Group to charge less than Colombo Port for the berthing and unloading of cargo at Vizhinjam International Port. This has increased the possibility of more ships preferring Vizhinjam port over Colombo port in Sri Lanka. The trial run at Vizhinjam was started on July 11. Income had also started coming in since then.

At present, nearly 80 percent of India's goods are imported through Colombo. It will then be brought to various ports in India in small ships. A 30,000-tonne GRT mothership arriving at Vizhinjam port only pays Rs 8,37,410 for 24 hours. In Colombo, it is Rs 17,58,561. The bottom line is that it is only about half the rate at Vizhinjam.

The fee is determined by combining three components: port fees, pilotage fees for getting the ship in and out of the port, and rent for keeping the ship at the berth. Kerala Steamer Agents Association President KS Binu said that Vizhinjam is competitive. He said that it was also an advantage that the rates announced were lower than Colombo Port.
In the current scenario, ships have to wait up to three days to approach Colombo port. There is a twenty-day wait for transhipment. Having more facilities than this is a positive factor for Vizhinjam. The declared rate is also an attractive factor for shipping companies.