Paul Antony, Chairman of the Cochin Port Trust (CPT) informed that the port would allot a dedicated terminal for berthing coastal shipping vessels bringing domestic cargo.

The terminal is dedicated to bulk and break bulk cargo and it would come up in the Mattancherry Wharf area where the draft is less than six metre.

This follows the demand from firms operating coastal ships for a dedicated berthing area for their vessels in all major ports across the country.

The International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadam would handle the domestic container cargo.

Coastal ships usually receive the last priority in major ports which face problems of congestion, and such vessels often have to wait for days for their cargo to be handled.

The port may also reduce tariff for vessels carrying domestic cargo. The port management held discussions with DP World officials who run ICTT. They have agreed to consider a 20 percent reduction in tariffs, said Antony. Efforts would also be taken to reduce piloting charges for coastal ships, he said.

He further informed that the port would extend all possible help to coastal shipping companies as they reduce congestion on roads and dependence of the port on truckers.

CPT's Traffic Manager Unnikrishnan said bunkering or offshore supply of fuel to international vessels was one area where the port aimed to promote domestic companies.