THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Shashi Tharoor MP has taken up the issue of the setting up of a new shipyard and major port proposed by the Ministry of Shipping on the west coast of the country, at Poovar, here. In a letter sent to G K Vasan, Minister for Shipping, Tharoor has made a strong case for selecting Poovar for the proposed project, according to a statement from the MP’s office. Tharoor has enumerated the advantages that Poovar has over other locations in the country. He pointed out that the construction and development of a new shipyard in conjunction with a new port of international standards could put the country in an enviable position and project it as a world maritime power. Poovar has a natural deep draught of 25-30 m that will enable big warships, super tankers and cargo vessels to be built, berthed and repaired. With over two km of uninhabited beach available at Poovar, there would be very little problem of eviction, displacement or rehabilitation. There would be minimal environmental problems as well. The proximity of an electrified railway line, national highway, international airport, a capital city which is also a major international tourist destination are notable and attractive advantages, he has elaborated in the letter. Drawing attention to the emerging international situation, he mentioned that predictions of the future of shipping at the global level envisaged a ring-route around the globe on which vessels of 13,000 - 18,000 TEU capacity would ply. These vessels would require minimum water depths of 18 m. The Poovar coastal line is the ideal place having all the endowments to be developed as a futuristic shipyard and port. Tharoor said that as Vizhinjam was being developed as an International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) by the state, a major port was necessary to meet the growing cargo volumes. An integrated maritime logistical confluence comprising a dry dock capable of handling large vessels now in service, ancillary major port, a ship-designing centre for designing commercial ships, and a Maritime Academy for imparting training for providing professionals to maritime industry, all could be developed as an integrated maritime hub at Poovar, Tharoor has pointed out.
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