KOCHI: Chairman of the Cochin Port Trust (CPT) N. Ramachandran has called upon all stakeholders in the port's business to turn Kochi Port into a big brand in maritime trade.

He told the 27th annual general meeting of the Cochin Streamer Agents' Association here on Tuesday that Kochi needed to go a long way in turning itself into a world-class facility but reminded the gathering that the new opportunities should be used.

He said there were some misconceptions about Kochi outside the State and that these impressions could be wiped off with the cooperation of all stakeholders in the business.

He said Kerala's had been a story of missed opportunities but work on the ambitious plans drawn up for the integrated development of the port had been on schedule.

He appealed to the steamer agents to cooperate in implementing the recent cut in box handling rates announced by the port in a bid to draw more cargo to Kochi.

The steamer agents called for trade shows in Bangalore to lure back cargo that had been diverted to Chennai from Kochi with the stoppage of trains to Willingdon Island following the damage suffered to the Venduruthy Bridge.

The discontinuation of train services from ICD Bangalore to Kochi had resulted in low throughput rate during the current financial year, said Ivor Gonzaga, president, Cochin Steamer Agents' Association.

Owing to the suspension of the train service, the growth in cargo throughput at Kochi this financial year would be around five per cent more than the previous year's, he said.

Mr. Gonzaga said that Kochi was on the path of achieving the targeted growth with the dream of a transhipment terminal becoming a reality.

The foundation for the new project was laid by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on February 5 last year.

He felt that the shipping industry, buoyant now, could face a downturn after 2007 unless there was a growth in demand in excess of 14 per cent and the rates are sustained over several years.

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