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New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
PTP strengthens global ties, powers ahead on green port ambitions
JOHOR BARU: Tanjung Pelepas Port (PTP) is deepening its international partnerships and accelerating its green transformation as it marks 25 years of operations, emerging as one of the world's top five most efficient ports. PTP chief executive officer Mark Hardiman said recent high-level engagements with the Australian government have catalysed deeper bilateral ties, particularly following last year's visit by the Australia-Southeast Asia Business Exchange Trade Delegation. He said the engagement with the Australians, had paved the way for a strategic partnership between PTP and the Melbourne, with both parties poised to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to formalise collaboration in sustainable port operations and digital logistics. "PTP's global outreach reflects our ambition to be not just a trade hub, but a responsible, future-ready port," Hardiman told Business Times. PTP is aggressively advancing its decarbonisation agenda through land and sea-based innovations, which includes asset digitalisation systems, a Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS), and a switch to renewable energy via rooftop solar, solar farms, and waste-to-energy projects. Hardiman said the port has already slashed its carbon emissions intensity by 18 per cent as of March 2025, and is targeting a 45 per cent reduction by 2030. While, on the fleet side, PTP is transitioning to electric prime movers (e-PMs), and exploring biodiesel B20 use and green vessels aligned with the International Maritime Organisation's Green Voyage 2050 initiative. Significantly, PTP's sustainability push began in 2012, well before the United Nations introduced the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - with the deployment of a full fleet of electric rubber-tyred gantry (e-RTG) cranes. PTP's transformation also rests on social and governance pillars. In line with Malaysia's Ekonomi Madani, it actively promotes gender diversity, employing the country's first female marine harbour pilot, RTG operator, and female prime mover drivers, who now comprise 10 per cent of the fleet. "Our people-first culture is non-negotiable. We are committed to workplace safety, career development, and inclusive growth. "Workplace safety, skills development, and Corporate Social Responsibility engagement also anchor PTP's people-first approach," he said. Governance-wise, the port upholds international standards as a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, works with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission on ABAC compliance, and commits to labour and human rights protections. Since its establishment in 2000, PTP has grown from a bold idea into a global player. It is now ranked among the Top 15 container ports globally by throughput. "We believe in transforming vision into reality. Our journey has not been easy, but it has made us more resilient. Our growth will continue to be guided by sustainability and innovation," he added.
Hindustan Times
03-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Vizhinjam seaport result of current Left govt's willpower: Kerala CM
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan asserted that the Vizhinjam International Seaport, commissioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, was a project formulated by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government that came to power in 1996 and termed it a result of the current Left government's 'willpower and determination.' The port, the first semi-automated facility in the country and the first dedicated transshipment terminal, was dedicated to the nation five months after it was formally operationalised with the anchoring of major vessels. 'The project formulated by the then LDF government in 1996 is being realised here. While the project remained in limbo for a few years, the International Finance Corporation was assigned to study the project. Though tender proceedings were initiated in 2010, the then Union government decline approval in the first phase. Subsequently, protests including human chains were conducted to make the protect a reality,' the CM said in his address at the commissioning event in Vizhinjam on Friday. The CM explained that a contract for the project was drawn up in 2015 but criticisms flowed in from various quarters. 'But even then, we took the stand that the Vizhinjam port project must become a reality. We accepted that political differences must not come to the fore in developmental matters. After the LDf was voted to power in 2016, we took steps to make Vizhinjam a mega port,' he said. The CM's words came in the backdrop of criticism by the Congress-led UDF that the then chief minister Oommen Chandy, whose cabinet had greenlighted the project, was not being remembered in light of the port. Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan skipped the event on Friday, stating that the opposition was not invited in the right fashion in order for the government to 'steal the credit.' CM Vijayan said the state government spent ₹120 crore to solve coastal rehabilitation and livelihood issues as part of the emergence of the port project. 'The local women of Vizhinjam were taught to operate cranes. Skilling centres were opened for the local women. In this way, the government moved forward by solving myriad issues,' he said. The CM also listed out the expenses incurred by each partner in the port project to substantiate his claim that the credit belonged to the Left government. 'This is the first time in India that a large port is being built on the initiative of a state government. Kerala bears a majority of the expenses. Kerala spent ₹5370.86 crore out of the total outlay of ₹8686 crore. The Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Limited spent ₹2497 crore. The Union government offered viability gap funding of ₹818 crore,' the CM said. The Vizhinjam port is equipped with fully automated yard cranes and remotely operated ship to shore cranes for faster and safer operations. A Vessel Traffic Management System, an AI powered and home-built system which is a first in India, is also set up at the port. Located just 10 nautical miles from the international shipping line and gifted with a natural depth of 18 metres, the port has the potential to give a tremendous boost to the country's maritime trade which is currently suffering due to the lack of a major port in southern India.
Hindustan Times
02-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
PM Modi inaugurates Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala
Kochi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala on Friday with the aim to boost India's maritime trade. 'Until now, 75% of the country's transshipment needs were routed through other ports in the world. India was suffering losses in revenue through it. This situation will change now. The country's money will be useful for it. The money that used to flow outside will now bring new economic opportunities for the people of Vizhinjam and Kerala,' Modi said addressing the event. He dedicated the facility, built on a public private partnership (PPP) model, to the nation. Modi started the visit with reviewing the operations, specially the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) mother ship docked at the port, India's first dedicated transshipment port and also the first semi-automated port, located 20 kilometres from Thiruvananthapuram. Situated around 10 nautical miles from the international shipping route, Vizhinjam Port has the capacity to handle large cargo vessels and, at full capacity, will be able to manage over 5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Modi was accompanied by Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, union ports and shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal, governor Rajendra Arlekar, union MoS for Fisheries George Kurian, Union MoS Tourism Suresh Gopi, Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, state ports minister VN Vasavan and other top central and state officials. Also Read: Kerala CM, Opposition claim credit for Vizhinjam port 'This was a long dream of Kerala. That dream has been fulfilled today. Vizhinjam will become one of India's most important ports and attract global attention,' CM Vijayan said at the commissioning ceremony. Developed by the Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) in conjunction with the Kerala government and the Union government, the first phase of the project was completed at a cost of ₹8867 crore. Two-thirds of the project's cost has been borne by the Kerala government — the highest such investment by a state in a port in the country -- including for building the breakwaters, a critical part of the infrastructure that will ensure the ports operates smoothly in all kinds of weather. Trial operations at the port began in July last year and commercial operations in December with the first mothership being invited. During the three-month trial phase, over 272 large vessels docked at the port and more than 5,50,000 containers were handled. The Vizhinjam port is equipped with fully automated yard cranes and remotely operated ship to shore cranes for faster and safer operations. A Vessel Traffic Management System, an AI powered and home-built system which is a first in India, has also been set up at the port.
The Hindu
01-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Vizhinjam seaport set to boost South Asia's maritime trade
The Vizhinjam International Seaport, an all-weather port which is poised to be a pivotal hub for India's maritime transshipment, will script a new history in the annals of Indian maritime trade on Friday (May 2, 2025) with Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicating the ambitious port project to the country by 11 a.m. Leveraging cutting-edge technology, Vizhinjam Port is expected to be a game-changer in South Asia's maritime trade. Mr. Modi arrived at Thiruvananthapuram International Port on Thursday evening (May 1, 2025) to officially commission the project. Also Read | Tight security in Thiruvananthapuram ahead of PM's visit The first semi-automated port in the country, Vizhinjam seaport positions itself as one of the most technologically sophisticated transshipment ports globally, reducing vessel turnaround times and enhancing India's capacity to handle large container ships. Armed with an AI-driven control room and Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) developed by IIT-M and Maritime Technology Pvt Ltd., the first Indigenous vessel management system implemented at an Indian port, the port could track ships approaching the port using radar and sensors, providing real-time location and movement updates to nearby vessels and optimising port traffic flow and berthing assignments. The port is also expected to reduce the dependence of the country on other international ports. Around 75% of the country's transshipment cargo is being handled at international ports, resulting in a loss of up to $200-220 million of potential revenue each year, rendering the Indian industries vulnerable to an increase in costs, potential inefficiencies and congestion issues, and creating long-term risks for India's trade competitiveness. The all-weather port has weathered many challenges in its way. Among the challenges, the stiff protest raised against the construction of the breakwater by fishermen backed by a prominent church outfit was the main issue the Kerala government had to deal with, although the location of the port offers several advantages, such as natural depth and lack of littoral movement, making it an ideal location for an international-scale seaport. However, the rubble-mounded breakwater constructed, surviving the challenges put up by a section, is an engineering marvel in the country. A 2,960-meter-long breakwater has been constructed in water at a depth of 18 to 20 meters with an overall height of 28 meters, which is equivalent to a 9-storey building, making it the deepest breakwater ever constructed in the country. Now the port, which is 10 nautical miles away from the international shipping routes connecting Europe, the Persian Gulf and the Far East, the east-west shipping axis, can berth new generation vessels of capacity around 18,000 TEU as the site is endowed with a natural water depth of 18 to 20 meters within a kilometre from the coast, suitable to accommodate very large mother vessels. The Ministry of Environment and Forests has already granted environmental clearance for the second and third phases of development of the port, which will attract an investment of ₹9,560 crore by Adani Port as per the concession agreement, which will enhance the current capacity of the port from 1 million TEUs / annum to 3 million TEUs / annum by 2028. According to Kerala Port Minister V.N. Vasavan, the first phase cost of the project is ₹8,867 crore. Of this, the State government's contribution is pegged at about ₹5,595 crore (63%), while the Adani Group, concessionaire of the project, spends ₹2,454 crore (28%). The Centre should have avoided the controversy of providing the assured viability gap funding of ₹818 crore (9%) as a 'loan' to the project. However, with the formal commissioning, Vizhinjam will grow to a level that can compete with any major port in the world, and it's a proud moment for Kerala, said Mr. Vasavan. The formal commissioning of the port will be attended by Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Ministers of State George Kurien and Suresh Gopi, State Ministers, Opposition Leader and others.
