THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The first mothership with cranes will arrive at Vizhinjam International Port, where construction is in progress, by the end of September. The mothership is scheduled to depart China on September 14th and arrive on the 24th. However, there are indications that the ship may leave earlier. If that happens then the ship may reach Vizhinjam before the 24th.

The mother ship is arriving, equipped with huge cranes required for the construction of the port. According to sources, Adani Group, which is in charge of managing the port, has lodged the cranes on board. Adani Group officials arrived in Shanghai, China to coordinate the delivery of the mothership. In the first phase, 16 cranes are targeted to be delivered in the months of September and October.

A team from Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL) will soon leave for China to carry out the final inspection of the cranes. A team including VISL CEO Dr Jayakumar and Managing Director Adeela Abdulla will go to China. The government gave permission for the trip. The date of travel will be fixed once the visa procedures are completed.

A Super Post Panamax crane and four to five rail-mounted gantry cranes will be delivered on the first mothership. Panamax cranes are used to lift containers from ships and onto vehicles. Rail-mounted gantry cranes are used for loading and unloading in the yard.

"The first ship with cranes will arrive at Vizhinjam port by the end of September. The VISL team are leaving soon to inspect the cranes. We are awaiting completion of visa procedures."

Dr. Jayakumar, VISL CEO