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 Kerala ports play a major role in boosting the industrial and maritime development in the major, underdeveloped geographical areas. Blessed with a coastline close to 600 kms, Kerala has, in addition to Kochi (Cochin - its most important port), fourteen minor and three intermediate ports that are administered by the state’s government. The Port of Cochin however, comes under the management of the Ministry of Shipping, Government of India. While the intermediate ports are Alappuzha, Kozhikode and Neendakara, the minor ports throughout the state require much more development to be able to effectively handle all kinds of vessels.
The Port of Cochin, a natural all-weather port, is an entrance to peninsular India. It has a strategic location, close to the international sea routes from the Gulf to Singapore and Europe to the Far East. Reception facilities available at the Cochin port are: a container terminal that is well-equipped, a dry dock, maximum draft of 12.5 metres, 16 berths counting the three oil jetties, and an immense 1940-acre estate inclusive of land at Vallarpadam, the reclamation area at the South end, and Puthvypeen.
Located south of Trivandrum and on India’s west coast, the Vizhinjam port is considered to be the ‘Port of the Future.’ This port has several advantages, being located close to a rail network and also to regional roads, having only the slightest degree of littoral drift, and possessing expansion and design flexibility.
The Alappuzha port was the earliest commercial port to be established in Travancore. It was set up by Raja Kesavadas who was the Diwan of Travancore. Ever since the Cochin port began functioning, shipping operations have become something of a rarity in this port. The prominent features of the Kozhikode port include accessibilty to roads, closed godowns, and a 450-square metre cargo shed.
Several places like Azikkal, Thankachery, Ponnani and Bepur have been recognized as good locations for the setting up of new Kerala ports. The prospect of maritime trade and the resultant development in Kerala therefore seems to be quite bright. |
