THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Considering the national importance of the Vizhinjam International Seaport, the protesters led by the Thiruvananthapuram archdiocese of the Catholic Church (Latin rite), should end the strike stalling the port work, said Ports Minister Ahamed Devarkovil here recenty. Though around 30% of India’s cargo movement is through the Vizhinjam international shipping channel, around three-quarters of the total cargo movement is currently handled by the Colombo Port.

It is estimated that the country lost around Rs. 2,000 crore a year. With the commissioning of the Vizhinjam Port, about Rs. 1,500 crore worth of cargo can be transhipped through the port, said Mr. Devarkovil. If the two berths of 400 metres in the first phase of the port construction are operational, there will be a trade of at least Rs. 200 crore in the first year itself, he added.

The port will be equipped to handle one million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) of containers when the first phase of the Rs. 7,700-crore project is completed. This will bring in development and create tens of thousands of employment opportunities, changing the very face of Thiruvananthapuram. The Minister also said that the cargo arriving at Vizhinjam can also be shipped to other small ports in the State through feeder vessels.