Vizhinjam to change face of Kerala and India: Four more days for port commissioning

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the inauguration of the Vizhinjam port by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 2, the port will become a symbol of Kerala. This port will be beneficial not only for Kerala and India, but also for all the countries surrounding the Indian Ocean. The world's largest cargo ships can easily dock there. Giant ships carrying cargo to neighbouring countries will now be waiting to anchor at Vizhinjam.

Vizhinjam's strategic location in the international shipping lane is its hallmark. Vizhinjam is 10 nautical miles from the shipping lane. Mumbai is 700 nautical miles away and Mundra is 1150 nautical miles away. Since the speed of ships is 20 nautical miles, it takes more than 50 hours to reach these places instead of Vizhinjam. Giant ships can anchor in Vizhinjam, saving additional costs, time and fuel.

The time savings will be very beneficial for exports. Exports to the US via Kochi will take 60-65 days and to Europe 40 days. From Vizhinjam, it will take 35 days to the US and 22 days to Europe. There are direct services from Vizhinjam to Europe. There are many export opportunities such as spices, fruits, vegetables, processed fish, honey, flowers, agricultural products, Kudumbashree products, and engineering products. Currently, there is a capacity of 10 lakh containers. With the next phases in December 2028, the port capacity will be 45 lakh containers per year.

Logistics hub

• The port will become an integrated logistics hub when the next phases are completed in 2028. By then, passenger-cargo shipment facilities will also be available. With that, Vizhinjam will become the gateway to Kerala's development and progress.
• Vizhinjam will become the gateway to the country's freight transport. With the addition of Vallarpadam and 17 small ports to Vizhinjam, Kerala will become the leader of ports in South Asia. Land-based freight transport is required to achieve the full goal.

Better than Colombo

Colombo is 25 nautical miles away from the shipping channel. Maximum depth is 18 meters. Dredging will be required. It is semi-automated. The distance to Vizhinjam is 10 nautical miles and the natural depth is 20 meters. Dredging is not required. Vizhinjam is strategically located for access to Europe, the Gulf, and West Asia.

Kerala will grow

• If export and import facilities are set up and infrastructure is developed, Kerala will grow with Vizhinjam, just as Singapore, which is only three times the size of Thiruvananthapuram corporation, grew with its port.
• Employment opportunities will only be created if there are manufacturing plants and small industrial units associated with the port. If raw materials are brought in and manufactured, assembled and exported, the economy will benefit.
• Warehouse complexes, container freight stations, cold-cool chains, container repairing yards, ship repair centres, bunkering facilities for fueling, road-rail connectivity and logistics facilities should be set up.

Revenue during the 40-year contract period: ₹2.15 lakh crore

Of this, the state will get ₹48,000 crore.