Kochi port to emerge as country's best bunkering service point

KOCHI: As Cochin Port Trust (CPT) prepares to host the second international bunkering conference on May 15, it is all set to emerge as India’s favourite bunkering service point.

Encouraged by 20 per cent growth in bunkering volumes year-on-year, the port has already offered 100 acre SEZ near the port facility at Puthuvypeen to accommodate the future growth potential of the bunkering service. The proximity to the international sea route and rates termed as most competitive among South Asia ports are projected as the chief advantages of the bunkering services from Kochi port.

The port spokesman said the tax rates for both coastal and foreign vessels are the lowest in the country. In addition, the port facilitates floating storage, multiple shipments and rapid supplies on short notice round-the-clock. The port did a trial bunkering of LNG for the first time during February this year.

This is for the second successive year that CPT is hosting international bunkering conference. To be attended by senior business personalities from across the world, the conference titled Destination Cochin 2015 will strive to formulate an action plan with inputs from policy makers, government functionaries, decision makers in the maritime industry and stakeholders in the bunkering industry.