Department of Harbour Engineering (HED), Kerala

Harbour Engineering Department (HED) works under the Fisheries and Ports Department of the Government of Kerala. The HED carries out analysis, planning, design, assessment, execution, operation, maintenance and management of fishing harbours and fish landing centres along with associated marine engineering and technical works for the development schemes of the Fisheries and Port Departments.  It monitors the infrastructure projects across Kerala's 590 km coastline. HED functions as a service to Department of Tourism and Local Self Government Department.  HED also undertakes development works of state owned ports in Kerala.  Kerala Maritime Board assigns HED for all kind of specialised construction works in the Port sector.

Formation of Harbour Engineering Department

The Harbour Engineering department was inaugrated in the year 1982. Before that, this department was working as an engineering wing in the Port Department. After the commissioning the Neendakara Fishing Harbour, the Department undertook the control and working of the Harbour.  It was a foremost landmark in the history of Harbour Engineering Department.  The Department successfully built the Thankassery fishing harbour, Munambam Fishing Harbour, Vizhinjam Seaport, and a numerous major and minor Harbours and Ports of the State.  The Harbour Engineering Department is today a major Engineering Department in the state of kerala.  Civil, electrical, and mechanical units are divided by wings. There are now three Circles, eight Divisions, and 24 Sub-Divisions in the Coastal Districts of the department.