Queue of cargo ships in port; New Dawn for Vizhinjam

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Vizhinjam is all set to embark on the next stage of development with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicating the Port to the nation on Friday. Adani is expected to complete the development in a single phase for Rs 10,000 crore by December 2028.

Vizhinjam has already become a favourite destination for cargo ships even before commissioning. The port capacity will increase to 4.5 million containers. Already, six ships are waiting in the open sea to dock at the port. With the completion of two multipurpose berths measuring 600 and 620 meters, more ships can be moored. The reduced waiting time will attract more ships.

Cargo not brought in containers can also be unloaded. The 250-meter liquid cargo berth will have bunkering facilities for refuelling ships. This will increase the government's tax revenue. Anything can be unloaded in multipurpose berths, including rice, coal, and machine parts. Increasing imports, including rice, will also benefit industries. Crude oil, fuels, or LNG can be unloaded. Large oil tankers do not need to be docked at the port. Fuel is loaded into the port's tank farms via a pipeline, anchored in the deep sea.

With the port capacity reaching 4.5 million, Vizhinjam will become the gateway for the country's goods transport. For this, the export-import potential should be utilised to the maximum. Raw materials, including those from China, will be brought in for production, assembly and export through that.

With the coming of manufacturing plants and small industrial units, employment will thrive. Even providing drinking water and food on ships would fetch crores in business. A myriad of businesses, including warehouse complexes, container freight stations, cold chains, container repair yards, ship repair centres, bunkering, and logistics, will open up in Vizhinjam.

With the extension of the causeway by another 900 meters, cruise ships will also be able to reach it. Simultaneously, three thousand tourists will be able to use the shopping, entertainment, and services in the city.

Tourism centres in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Alappuzha districts will also get the perks. Passenger ship and cruise services can be started from the Gulf connecting Kerala. However, facilities, including customs and immigration, should be provided at the port.