Asia/Pacific News
Vizhinjam Port Would be India's Largest Container Terminal
Vizhinjam Port in Thiruvananthapuram, India, would become the biggest transhipment container terminal in the country, rivalling major ports like Dubai and Sri Lanka's Colombo, under a plan approved by the director board of Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited, the Times of India reports.
The plan, with a price tag of Rs 4,010 crore ($726 million) would expand the berthing for containerships with capacities of up to 18,000 twenty foot equivalent units (TEU), allowing it to handle some of the world's largest vessels.
The port would also have a 250 meter-long facility for the refuelling of long-haul vessels travelling the east-west route.
The plan is now subject to an environmental impact study, which will be followed by public hearings and then a final government approval process.
The port project was first proposed in 2003, but has faced numerous delays, according to the newspaper Mathrubhumi.
