Kerala hopes to witness the opening of a new chapter in development as the Vizhinjam international seaport in Thiruvananthapuram is all set to commence export-import (EXIM) operations from August 18.
The Adani-run port that commenced operations in 2024 was so far carrying out transshipment operations only. The biggest advantage that the EXIM operations at Vizhinjam offers is time-saving owing to the proximity to the international shipping route as well as the operations of motherships from Vizhinjam to different locations. Already bookings have been received for four containers for export.
“In exports what is more important is time. Saving time means saving money and getting better business. Vizhinjam could help save export time by around ten to 35 days to various destinations compared to other ports in the region,” says Sunil Mathew, a Thiruvananthapuram-based leading exporter.
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan said that the Vizhinjam port would emerge as South India's gateway for global trade. He also expressed high hopes that the commencement of EXIM operations from Vizhinjam would help traditional sectors like the coir, cashew, fish processing and spices.
The state government is also launching Mission Samudra which aims at accelerating the state's growth in the maritime sector so as to make the state a port hub. Already shipping related industries have started setting up units near Vizhinjam. The state government is setting up a container freight station on five acres of land of Trivandrum Spinning Mill at the adjacent Balaramapuram. The steamer agents are opening their office on Monday.
Since land availability is a major hurdle in Kerala, the adjacent parts of Tamil Nadu is also reported to be a favourite destination for export oriented major investments. “At present Thiruvananthapuram is having hardly ten percent of the ecosystem required for the shipping industry. In the coming days we will be witnessing massive investments in the region. Vizhinjam port is going to be a real game changer for Kerala,” said Mathew, who runs Nilamel Exports.
Kerala has 17 other minor ports and the Cochin Port. The increasing EXIM activities at Vizhinjam is expected to brighten the prospects of other ports too.
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