KOCHI: Will Vizhinjam be a competitor to the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) in Vallarpadam? What are the prospects of Cochin Port as a bunkering port? asked the final year MBA (Port and Shipping Management) students of the School of Maritime Management to officials of the Cochin Port Trust (CPT) and shipping experts at Cynosure-2012, an industry-academic interface organised by the Indian Maritime University (IMU), Kochi, here on Monday.CPT deputy chairman G Krishnakumar said that as long as the container growth is dynamic there is no fear. Vizhinjam needs at least `6,000 crore to create the breakwater for ships so as to be free of dredging. So financial projects are required. Moreover, shipping experts said that the Vizhinjam coastal region would also be hit by it, he said.There is good scope for the CPT as bunkering port as ships have to keep close to the West coast of India due to the rampant pirate menace in Somalia. Kerala has reduced tax rates but other services have to be provided, he said.When asked the impact of relaxing Cabotage law on ICTT, he said it would help in ICTT’s success and development into a major transshipment hub by 2020. When asked about the private ports in the state, experts said the land is not ideal for manufacturing activities and that Kochi’s strategical location should be exploited.Students cleared their doubts on container leasing business and prospects of freight forwarding. Experts also said the candidates should adapt and adjust, be tenacious and versatile to meet the challenges of the industry.Earlier, CPT deputy chairman said that port, shipping and logistics are emerging subjects. P Vijayan, first VC, IMU, gave the special address. C Unnikrishnan Nair, traffic manager, CPT, Sudheer, IMU Kochi campus director and MBA course coordinator Lekha Ravi also spoke.Students gave a presentation about the course, and an in-house newsletter, ‘Maritimus’ was also released.
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