Kerala govt signs MoUs for logistics master plan at Vizhinjam port

T'puram: In a bid to boost Kerala's maritime landscape, the state govt signed memoranda of understanding (MoU) with three central public sector undertakings (PSU) to launch a Rs 2,000 crore logistics master plan at Vizhinjam International Seaport. The agreements were executed on Monday in the presence of chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan at the legislative assembly building. This initiative marked a strategic shift to transform the port into a comprehensive economic development hub, ensuring that critical infrastructure remained under public sector oversight even as the port operated on a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
The partnership involves the state-owned Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL) and three central PSUs — Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), Container Corporation of India (Concor) and Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC). By integrating these entities, the govt aimed to prevent monopolization in cargo handling, guarantee fair pricing for traders, and safeguard national maritime interests. The Rs 2,000 crore investment was divided into three strategic sectors. Maritime Fueling (Rs 700 crore): IOCL will establish large-scale bunkering facilities. This infrastructure will provide fuel for the massive mother ships frequenting Vizhinjam, positioning the port as a primary energy hub in Indian Ocean. Rail Connectivity (Rs 600 crore): Concor will develop a robust transport network, including inland container depots (ICD) and container freight stations (CFS), to ensure efficient cargo movement across India via the rail network. Logistics & Warehousing (Rs 700 crore): CWC will construct a state-of-the-art multimodal logistics park. Spanning roughly 50 acres, this facility will feature cold storage and export-linked units, developed without any financial liability to the state govt. The ceremony was attended by ports minister V N Vasavan, ports secretary A Kowsigan and VISL MD Divya S Iyer, alongside senior leadership from the central PSUs. VISL already identified land parcels for the proposed facilities. Around 25 acres of land were earmarked for Concor at Kottukal near the port to establish a multimodal logistics park. Moreover, 50 acres of land at Amaravila near Neyyattinkara for setting up a large warehouse and logistics facility was identified for CWC. The land proposed for IOCL, measuring about 20 acres, is expected to be located near the port.