Weekly Exclusive Report from Trivandrum Port, Kerala - Issue #17
05 May - 11 May 2025
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TRV maintains top position among south and east Indian ports
Trivandrum port (TRV) has maintained its premier position among south and east zone ports in India with 104,413 containers in April's exim/transshipment volume. This is not the first time TRV has achieved this top ranking. It continues to advance ahead of CCTPL DPW (84,553), CICTPL PSA (75,233), AKPPL (61,076), AECTPL (40,116), TICT (24,198), DBGT (43,321), Kakinada (324), Kochi (55,505), Haldia (12,545), Adani Kolkata (52,104), Kolkata Port Dock (483), VCTPL (46,212), INGGV (4,949) and Paradeep (1,881).
Whilst some western zone ports surpass TRV's figures, others including AMCT (87,051), Pipavav (50,490), AHCT (65,977), NSFT (46,911), NSIGT (83,888), Kandla (49,043) and JSW Mangalore (13,526) all trail behind TRV. Among the country's 29 private terminals, TRV ranks eighth. However, industry experts argue that TRV should not be benchmarked against Indian ports alone; meaningful performance assessment requires comparison with international hubs such as Singapore, Colombo and Dubai.
Women strengthen their grip on maritime industry
The maritime world of ships, oceans and port operations is no longer exclusively male territory. Today, the shipping industry is entering an era marked by women's strength and operational excellence.
Ms Fatima Nasli N exemplifies this shift. At just 23, she successfully managed ship chandling operations for two vessels, AS ALVA and M.V. KLEVEN, at Vizhinjam International Seaport, sending a powerful message about women's role in the shipping sector.
A graduate in Business Administration (Logistics, Retail & E-commerce) from the Indian Maritime University, Fatima has been working with Trivandrum-based Gangway Shipping and Logistics since November 2024. In a remarkably short period, her dedication, meticulous standards and superior work ethic have attracted significant attention.
This is just the start—as more women enter the shipping sector, the maritime industry will become more balanced and robust. The steady hands of women are increasingly navigating the paths of seas and ships.
April operations feature five Jade / African Express services
Trivandrum port welcomed 45 vessels in the new financial year, demonstrating improved performance despite handling fewer ships than the previous month's 52. The reduction from March's figure to April's 45 is primarily attributed to the arrival of five Jade/African Express service vessels (Diletta, Turkiye, Allegra, Apolline and Arina). These vessels typically occupy berths for approximately 48 hours, causing numerous feeder vessels to wait at anchorage. This constraint will persist until berth lengths are extended.
April statistics reveal 91.25% port utilisation, with three vessels simultaneously occupying berths during the month's final days. This explains why performance exceeded 100% on certain days. These figures mark the beginning of a fiscal year assessment. Last year's statistics remained incomplete as vessels only began arriving from July onwards. FY26 will represent TRV's first complete financial year.
Will Suez route reactivation boost TRV's potential?
Is the Red Sea-Suez route returning to peace after approximately 20 months of unrest? American President Donald Trump has offered this assurance to the world. On Tuesday, 6th May, he announced a US-Houthi ceasefire to the media at the White House. This development suggests that both American and international vessels may now navigate the Suez route smoothly. However, the Houthis have not yet officially confirmed their acceptance of this arrangement.
The Red Sea conflict emerged during the Palestine-Israel war when Houthis from Yemen hijacked Galaxy Leader, a vessel sailing from Turkey to India. The car carrier, operated by Japan's Nippon Yusen company, was captured along with its 25 crew members. Subsequently, approximately 60 vessels traversing this route faced missile and drone attacks.
Upon returning to power, Trump immediately initiated military actions against Houthis attacking American vessels. The ceasefire resulted from warnings that continued attacks would trigger massive retaliation against both the Houthis and their supporter, Iran.
Oman, which shares a border with Yemen and had previously facilitated the release of Galaxy Leader's crew, mediated the ceasefire negotiations. Restoring peace in the region was crucial for Oman, whilst Egypt, facing economic challenges due to ships avoiding the Suez Canal, similarly desired regional stability.
When vessels last navigated Suez smoothly in 2023, the Asia-Europe rate was $2,519 per FEU. When ships began circumnavigating Africa, this increased to $3,139 per FEU—approximately a 55% rise. This rate increase, combined with extended sailing days, led to more vessels being deployed on this route. Whilst there were 377 ships with an average capacity of 15,417 TEU in 2023, by December 2024 this had grown to 459 vessels averaging 15,271 TEU. Once Suez transit resumes, many of these ships may be withdrawn, potentially reducing rates.
The diversion of vessels that previously traversed the Malacca Strait to circumnavigate Africa significantly reduced traffic past TRV. With peace returning to the Suez route, more Far East-Europe vessels will likely pass TRV, potentially using the port not only for container transshipment but also for other maritime services, given TRV's proximity to these shipping lanes.
All eyes on transshipment opportunities
Though tensions eased after a week of near-warlike atmosphere, valuable lessons emerged. Even the largest ports with exceptional facilities can see their prospects collapse without a peaceful environment, with swift repercussions.
By last weekend, troubling reports began circulating in shipping circles: "Due to the current conflict between India & Pakistan many vessels are facing delays and some sailings are being cancelled." As India's marine sector appeared destabilised, neighbouring Sri Lanka seized the opportunity. "The Colombo Port has experienced an increase in operational activity due to escalating military tensions between India and Pakistan," according to Sri Lanka's Deputy Minister of Ports. They observed a noticeable rise in vessel presence at Colombo Port, likely accompanied by increased enquiries from shipping lines. "The Deputy Minister also noted that transshipment activities have seen a marked increase in Colombo." Whilst such a dramatic transshipment increase within one week seems improbable, the minister may have been making a speculative claim. Nevertheless, this reminds us that many competitors will not grant Trivandrum Port an easy path to success—a sobering reality deserving serious consideration.
Moderation needed in our approach
"Leave shore within 48 hours"—do these words not carry an implicit threat? This directive was issued to the bulk carrier Sirrah, anchored in TRV's waters for three or four days. Rather than 48 hours, the vessel's crew would prefer to depart within 4 hours, but how can a ship with engine failure leave shore immediately as commanded?
The vessel anchored in our waters after experiencing mechanical failure during its journey from Chennai to Dubai. Following global maritime protocol, when such breakdowns occur, assistance is requested from nearby port authorities through shipping agents. After verifying the legitimacy of the request, arrangements can be made with the appropriate land-side shipping agent. Procedures had proceeded correctly to this point, with the shipping company arranging for an engine compressor to be delivered from Mumbai. The large cargo faced delays at multiple checkpoints due to the warlike situation. It was then that the stern warning to "leave shore within 48 hours" came out via the media.
Information suggests the Coast Guard issued no such threat or language. From where, then, did this threatening tone emerge? Perhaps it was formed as part of war preparation measures. Regardless, such language should never be directed at those seeking assistance following an accident. This approach is particularly inappropriate from TRV, which is just beginning to establish itself as a maritime economy.
Maiden voyages to TRV this week
Three vessels, including Jade service's Nela, will make their inaugural visits to TRV this week.
MSC Akiteta II will arrive via the new Dar Es Salaam Express service on the 13th, after calling at Mombasa, Beira and Nacala (Mozambique) ports.
MSC Ravenna may experience schedule adjustments due to the conflict. Expected to arrive on the 13th, the vessel has navigated through war-affected ports including Mundra, which had to close, the troubled Njava Sheva, and Colombo. Classified as an "extra vessel," Ravenna will proceed to Coega port in South Africa after departing TRV.
MSC Nela, this week's Jade service vessel, is expected to arrive on the 16th after calling at Xiamen and Yantian in China and Singapore. Valencia, Spain represents its next destination.
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