Vizhinjam seaport recognized as customs port, to become major hub for export and import

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Vizhinjam international seaport has been recognized as a customs port after receiving Section 7A approval and issuing a gazette notification in this regard. With this, Vizhinjam became a legally recognized port where export and import can be done. The permission was given after the guidelines put forward by the Ministry of Customs were fulfilled.

"Customs has put forward 12 suggestions like office facilities, buildings, computer system, better server room facility, etc. Vizhinjam was able to fulfill all this within the said time," Minister VN Vasavan said.

Now Vizhinjam has to get approvals under Section 8, Section 45 and Port Code. Necessary facilities for this have also been prepared at the port. Vizhinjam port had earlier received approval from the Union Ministry of Shipping to act as India's first transshipment port. Cargo/containers arriving in small vessels from regional parts of India can be transshipped to larger motherships at Vizhinjam and sent to foreign ports. Containers arriving at motherships from abroad can be unloaded and transferred to small vessels and sent to local ports. The Minister also stated that this will give Vizhinjam an opportunity to become the main hub for the movement of goods from India to abroad and back.