14 April - 20 April 2025

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Prime Minister to commission Trivandrum Port

For the first time in a decade, the central government is demonstrating interest in Trivandrum Port. The Prime Minister will visit to commission the project officially. On May 2nd at 11:00 hours, in a ceremony at the port premises, the Prime Minister will dedicate Trivandrum Port to the nation.

Since construction began on December 5th, 2015, many stakeholders have advocated for central government participation. As India's first mother port, the facility presents numerous opportunities for central involvement in the project and related activities. Beyond its status as a state public-private partnership, apart from providing the Viability Gap Funding share, the centre has shown limited participation. As a project that saves the export-import community at least $300 per container, Trivandrum Port merits substantial central investment and consideration.

Stakeholders should utilise this opportunity to demonstrate to the Prime Minister that the port has already handled nearly 600,000 containers and accommodated some of the world's largest container vessels within mere months of operation. The port should be presented as a critical asset in positioning India as a global manufacturing hub.

New logistics firm targets TRV opportunities

"Can you provide us with about 100 trucks simultaneously? This was the type of enquiry we received when attempting to market TRV," says Nidhin, who brings many years of transport experience to his latest venture. According to him, numerous export-import establishments in Maharashtra and South India have expressed significant interest in utilising TRV. Such promising responses motivated Nidhin and his colleagues to establish Veloxa Transport & Logistics Pvt Ltd, which was officially inaugurated recently at Spot Business Centre in Thiruvananthapuram.

Nidhin, the managing director, told Motherport News that the company aims to dispatch export cargo from the very first days of gateway operations, leveraging established business connections. The firm's board of directors includes Prageeth PG, Nidhin Sambhasivan, Sreejesh R and Sabin RM.

Export benefits webinar for new enterprises

The Directorate General of Taxpayer Services (DGTS), a central government institution, is hosting a webinar to assist newcomers in the export sector. The topic focuses on the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme, introduced by the Indian government to refund various central, state and local taxes, including embedded taxes, on exported goods.

Led by Amar Kumar Sinha IRS, Additional Director General of DGTS, the webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, April 29th, 2025, at 15:00 hours. To participate in this free Malayalam-language webinar, participants should log in at: https://dgts.webex.com/dgts/j.phpMTID=m55f2619066ab4f610942f34ac1c739b6

Webinar number: 25116406576

Password: 1234

Empty containers set new record at TRV

When the MSC Paloma delayed its unberthing, it hinted at extraordinary activity. The vessel set a new record in container movements since operations began on July 11th. During approximately 66.5 hours at berth, Paloma handled 10,576 containers, surpassing the previous record of 10,330 container movements established by MSC Anna. Notably, the majority of containers loaded were empty.

Upon arrival at TRV on April 15th, Paloma's draft measured 12.3 metres. Typically, loading 10,576 containers would increase draft depth, yet the departure draft decreased to 10.6 metres. Arriving from Coega port in South Africa, Paloma discharged fully loaded containers at TRV and loaded approximately 10,000 empty containers before heading directly to Tianjin port in China. This record-setting journey confirms the theory that most vessels bound for China carry predominantly empty containers.

MSC Irina set to call at TRV

As this report is prepared, the MSC Irina, bound for Singapore, is sailing past Trivandrum in the distance. Her anticipated arrival at TRV would cement the port's global standing. According to earlier plans, the Irina was expected in early May. Current sailing schedules suggest she will likely berth at TRV around the time the Prime Minister officially dedicates the port to the nation.

While six other vessels share her class, the MSC Irina is widely regarded as the world's largest container ship, with specifications of 399.99 metres in length, 61.33 metres in width, 281,456 deadweight tonnage and capacity for 24,346 containers. With the Irina's arrival, TRV will have hosted all of MSC's ultra-large container vessels.

Bangladesh ships continue calling at TRV despite restrictions

On April 15th, the MSC Chaewon departed from Chittagong port, indicating that the restrictions imposed on Bangladesh on April 8th do not apply to Trivandrum Port (TRV). The timing had initially created uncertainty, as the MSC Eyra II sailed from TRV to Chittagong on April 8th, the very day the Indian government issued its restrictions. The subsequent departure of the Chaewon from Chittagong confirmed that TRV remains accessible for Bangladesh-related operations. This was further reinforced when the MSC Riona embarked from TRV to Chittagong on April 18th. The Chaewon, which arrived at TRV on April 19th, operates as part of the Chittagong Feeder 2 service, covering the TRV-Hambantota-Chittagong-TRV sector.

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