Vizhinjam International Seaport in Thiruvananthapuram has officially been granted a permanent Integrated Immigration Check Post (ICP), marking a major step toward elevating the port into a fully capable international maritime hub. The approval allows Vizhinjam to legally process immigration, customs clearance, crew arrivals and departures, and ship-related formalities, functions essential for global transshipment operations.
With this, the port can now support smoother import–export container movement, aided by upgraded scanning systems and digital linkages to India’s national ICP network. Though Vizhinjam is not yet authorised as a full-fledged crew-change port, officials say the new immigration setup significantly strengthens its prospects for gaining that status soon.
Infrastructure upgrades around the port are also progressing. A 1.7 km link road connecting Vizhinjam to NH-66 is nearing completion, promising faster cargo evacuation. Rail connectivity, which has already received the necessary clearances, is expected to take about four years to build, but once completed, it will greatly enhance the port’s logistics efficiency.
Overall, the new ICP positions Vizhinjam to handle greater international traffic and supports Kerala’s vision of becoming a major player in global maritime trade.
