About Harbour Engineering Department

Prior to 1982 Coastal Engineering works in the state were carried out by the Marine Wing of Kerala Public Works Department.Harbour Engineering Department was formed in 1982 as a separate specialised department as a service department for Fisheries and Ports. Headed by the Chief Engineer, with headquarters at Thiruvananthapuram. Now HED has Three Circle offices headed by Superintending Engineers, Namely South, Central and North Circle, Seven Division Offices and 17 Subdivision Offices throughout the coastline of Kerala from Kasargod to Trivandrum. Total strength of officers 524 nos. Government of India has empanelled Harbour Engineering Department of Kerala as a consultant in the Coastal Engineering Field for the nation as a whole. HED is the only such State Department in India, empanelled along with other global players in the field. HED also provides consultancy services to other States and Union Territories for various projects and studies in Coastal Engineering. Mahe Harbour project of Government of Pondichery, establishment of six fishing harbours in Andaman Nicobar Islands etc are examples. Apart from acting as the service department of the Ports & Fisheries Departments, the Department of Tourism, Kerala has also entrusted HED as their service department for all projects in the Coastal Sector. HED has also provided its services to other departments like  Local Self Government Department.

Mission and Vision of the department

VISION
To tame the seas for protection, harnessing marine wealth and development of the coastal area using appropriate technology for the socio-economic betterment of the society and thereby serving the nation.

MISSION
Development, Maintenance and Management of Ports and Harbours in Kerala and to provide consultancy services in the field for other marine states, with special focus in the area of coastal engineering, research and development.

• Organization  Chart (PDF)

Line departments, Institutions and organizations under the department

• Harbour Division,Vizhinjam    
• Harbour Division,Thangassery 
• Harbour Division,Neendakara 
• Harbour Division,Kayamkulam  
• Harbour Division,Munambham  
• Harbour Division,Kozhikode  
• Harbour Division,Kannur 

Major Functions of the department

Harbour Engineering Department was formed as the specialised department to carry out all the investigation, planning, design, evaluation, execution, operation, maintenance, and management and related marine engineering and technical works for the development schemes of the Fisheries and Port Departments.