Thiruvananthapuram: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has requested permission from the Adani Group to use a 120 metre berth at the new international seaport in Vizhinjam to dock large vessels. The move is aimed at enhancing surveillance of the southern peninsula and improving response times for rescue missions, particularly in light of the increasing number of fishing accidents at sea. However, the Adani Group has not yet responded positively to the request.
The ICG sought permission to use the port for a year, until the construction of a new ICG berth at Vizhinjam old port is completed. Currently, a fast patrol vessel (FPV) and three IB/IC class ships are operating from a berth provided by the Kerala Maritime Board at the Vizhinjam old port to handle emergency situations. This berth, however, cannot accommodate larger vessels, prompting the ICG to request additional space from Adani.
“Although Adani initially denied the request, they suggested it could be considered in the port’s second or third phase. By then, the construction of the new berth at the old port is expected to be completed, and the ICG may no longer need to use the Adani port,” said an ICG source. The proposal to build a new berth for the ICG at the old port in Vizhinjam had been delayed for a long time.
The delay was caused by the abandoned tugboat MV Brahmekshara, which had been berthed at Vizhinjam wharf since Dec 2015 and sank in 2018. A Cochin-based firm eventually removed the tugboat from the sea, and .