Cochin Port, Kerala’s second major port after Vizhinjam, is gearing up for a development push valued at roughly Rs 10,000 crore, as reported by Malayala Manorama.
The upgrades will span the whole stretch from Cochin Port to Cochin Shipyard. Around Rs 1,500 crore has been set aside for DP World’s Vallarpadam Transhipment Terminal to boost container handling. Even though Vizhinjam already has a naturally deep draft suited for big motherships, about Rs 800 crore is still expected to go into deepening Kochi’s channel so large vessels can berth at Vallarpadam.
For this, the Cochin Port Authority has signed an agreement with the Dredging Corporation of India to deepen the channel from 14.5 meters to roughly 16–16.5 meters.
Another Rs 500 crore is planned for an LNG bunkering facility in partnership with BPCL. A new government-owned chemical fertiliser plant is also being considered for Willingdon Island.
A 5.5-acre warehouse at the Q9 berth is planned with a budget of Rs 370 crore, along with new ship-offloader cranes. The Q4 berth is slated to get a 3.5-acre ammonia tank with a 2,000-tonne capacity at another Rs 350 crore.
Alongside Essar, the port authority is preparing a Rs 350-crore bulk liquid terminal as well. About Rs 300 crore is expected to support cruise tourism development at Willingdon Island through Greenix Experiences.
The Q5 terminal is set for a petrochemical container tank farm of 50,000 kilolitres, estimated at Rs 125 crore.
All of this comes on top of Cochin Shipyard’s Rs 3,800 crore ship block construction unit and the Rs 1,500 crore international ship repair facility being developed on Willingdon Island. Together, these projects are positioned to give the region’s maritime sector a strong lift.
