By 2010, (If) when Vizhinjam becomes a reality i.e., An International Container Transshipment hub, then as by the present statistics, India will be doing a cargo trade of nearly 10 million containers. The bulk of long distance container transport will be on very big container mother ships which can call only at deep draft ports like Vizhinjam. The port could be handling the lion’s share of container traffic bound for India and the entire region.
This massive transshipment boom will generate immense revenue for the port, the average transshipment rate is about US $ 110 per container. And a significant share of this, running into hundreds of crores will also find its way into the local economy, in addition to saving valuable foreign exchange for the nation.
Now add to this the revenue from bunkering – the service of fueling and provisioning ships - not only the hundreds of ships which call at Vizhinjam, but also the multitudes which pass close by on the International shipping route. At minimal investment, it will generate significant revenue. The port and accompanying industries – which will soon spring up - will also create major employment opportunities. And as Vizhinjam pegs out a spot on the world map, the industry, trade and tourism will increase in a slash. The export will increase.
The per capita income of the surrounding areas and of the State as a whole will receive a significant boost from this inflow of resources. This is not just dream. It is absolutely possible. The proof is out there.
We just have to take a look at the once insignificant island state of Singapore to realize how development a port can create. In the short time of a few decades, Singapore has transformed from a backwater to one of the world’s richest and most sophisticated cities!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment