Cochin:
Port Wings News Network:
Cochin Port Trust and Indian Navy has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for utilizing the Q2-Q3 berths at Mattacherry wharf of Cochin Port for berthing Indian Navy ships.
According to a media statement, the MoU was signed on 5 January 2018 on behalf of Cochin Port Trust by Mr Goutam Gupta, Traffic Manager and Commodore Deepak Kumar, Chief Staff Officer (Ops), Southern Naval Command for Indian Navy.
As per the MoU, Cochin Port’s Q2 and Q3 berths at Mattacherry Wharf, totaling 228m of quay length, will be handed over to Indian Navy for five years for berthing their ships.
Indian Navy had requested for exclusive berthing facility in Cochin Port for berthing their ships during reconstruction period of their berths. In view of the national interest involved, Cochin Port examined the request and decided that Cochin Port’s oldest wharf, Mattacherry Wharf, which can be spared, since those are not suitable any longer for berthing of big cargo ships due to limitation of draft and displacement.
This is a landmark decision in the history of Cochin Port and it will go a long way in the combined efforts of the Port and Navy for ensuring the safety of the nation.
