Kerala’s Vizhinjam port to open up a sea of opportunities

Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL), the Kerala government’s agency implementing the project, expects to attract around 50% of the ships passing through the international channel to Vizhinjam. This will make it a major transhipment hub.

The Vizhinjam International Seaport (VIS) in the Kerala capital is all set to welcome the first ship on October 15.

Once operational, the port will open up a sea of direct/indirect business and job opportunities for the state. The real estate price of the region has shot up as business entities from across the country have started exploring opportunities for investment.

Coming up on the southern tip of India, the state-owned port is being built under a public-private-partnership model in a tie-up with Adani Ports Private Limited. It boasts several advantages for attracting motherships, the biggest one being the proximity to the international shipping route connecting Europe, the Persian Gulf and the Far East. The port is just 10 nautical miles away from this route.

Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL), the Kerala government’s agency implementing the project, expects to attract around 50 per cent of the ships passing through the international channel to Vizhinjam. This will make it a major transhipment hub.

Industry sources said the Vizhinjam port will open up a plethora of direct and indirect business and job opportunities across sectors such as warehouses, cargo handling, logistics park,  transportation, dredging works, cargo handling, fuel supply, spare parts and crew change. It will also draw more export and import-oriented business not only to Kerala but also to the adjoining regions of Tamil Nadu. The arrival of cruise ships will be a boost to the tourism and hospitality industry as well.

Thiruvananthapuram Chamber of Commerce and Industry president S N Reghuchandran Nair said the opening of the Vizhinjam port would usher in a new blue economy era. Like many port cities across the world, Thiruvananthapuram would evolve into a world-class city in future.

“Already real estate prices in the region have gone up by around 25 per cent. Once the first ship arrives, there will be a boom in the real estate business. Already we have started getting many enquiries from different parts of the country about business opportunities in the region,” he said.

Nair also expressed hopes that enquiries regarding the Vizhinjam port would come up in the Global Maritime India Summit to be held  from October 17 to 19 in Mumbai.

On Wednesday, Ports Minister Ahammed Devarkovil reviewed the arrangements to receive the first ship. He said the natural depth of 18 to 20 metres will make Vizhinjam an ideal spot for large motherships.

The first ship,  'Zhen Hua 15', coming from China with cranes for the port's operations, will be given a ceremonial reception. The port is expected to commence commercial operations from next year.