Cochin Port Unions Demand Transparency on Vallarpadam ICTT Extension

KOCHI: The Cochin Port Joint Trade Unions Forum has formally demanded that the Cochin Port Authority and the Ministry of Ports make public the details and rationale behind a reported two-year extension granted to the operator of the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadam.

According to the forum's press release, the extension was reportedly based on the recommendations of a conciliation committee headed by former Ports Secretary Gopalkrishna. The unions argued that the settlement of a long-standing dispute should not result in perpetual concessions being granted to the terminal operator.

The ICTT is operated by India Gateway Terminal Pvt Ltd, a DP World company. The facility was commissioned in February 2011 with the core objective of developing Kochi into a major international transshipment hub. The terminal has an ultimate projected capacity of 2.5 million TEUs annually, while its Phase I operations feature a capacity of 1.2 million TEUs.

Amid these developments, the trade unions have pressed for the public disclosure of the terminal’s year-wise cargo throughput and capacity utilisation measured against the original contractual business plan. Additionally, the forum has sought comprehensive details regarding the revenue earned by the port under the current revenue-sharing arrangement, any additional concessions extended to the operator, and the status of pending claims, counterclaims, and ongoing litigation.

Highlighting operational figures, the forum noted that the operator handled 0.32 million TEUs at the Rajiv Gandhi Container Terminal before shifting operations to Vallarpadam in 2011. Data provided by the forum indicates that in 2025-26, following 15 years of operations at Vallarpadam, the terminal handled 0.77 million TEUs.

The unions also raised specific concerns regarding the existing contractual arrangements and continuing dredging obligations, which they assert continue to impose a financial burden on the Cochin Port Authority.

Emphasizing the need for accountability, the forum stated that greater transparency is necessary before any further concessions or contractual benefits are extended to the operator, reiterating their demand for full disclosure regarding the basis of the reported two-year extension.

"Transparency in public-private partnerships is critical for long-term economic sustainability and stakeholder trust. When major infrastructure projects involve public assets and long-term concessions, clear disclosure of performance metrics, revenue sharing, and operational burdens ensures that both state interests and private operators remain aligned. Stakeholders and port authorities must balance dispute resolutions with accountability to foster a predictable business environment for maritime trade and logistics." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes