In a bold move to bolster public sector presence in maritime infrastructure, the Kerala government inked Memorandums of Understanding worth ₹2,000 crore on Monday with three central public sector undertakings at Adani’s Vizhinjam International Seaport. The ceremony, held in the state assembly complex under the watchful eyes of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, underscores a strategic push to integrate public oversight into key port operations despite private management.
Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL), the government-owned entity, joined forces with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Container Corporation of India (CONCOR), and Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC). This public-private partnership model aims to secure critical services like bunkering, rail-linked cargo transport, and storage under PSU frameworks, mitigating risks of monopoly in cargo handling and ensuring competitive pricing for trade stakeholders.
IOCL will invest ₹700 crore to build large-scale bunkering facilities capable of servicing mainline vessels docking at the port. This initiative positions Vizhinjam as a pivotal refueling hub on Indian Ocean trade routes, unlocking new revenue streams through ancillary services.
CONCOR’s ₹600 crore commitment focuses on developing inland container depots and freight stations, enhancing rail connectivity to national hinterlands and slashing cargo transit times. Meanwhile, CWC allocates the remaining ₹700 crore for a sprawling 50-acre multi-modal logistics park featuring cold storage and export-oriented units. Crucially, officials emphasized that this venture imposes no direct financial burden on the state exchequer.
Senior ministers and PSU executives graced the signing event, marking a milestone in Kerala’s vision to transform Vizhinjam into a competitive maritime gateway. By fostering connectivity and strategic depth around the port, the state is poised to capture a larger slice of global trade flows, driving economic growth and job creation in the region.