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• The Kerala Maritime Board (KMB) has invited bids for the development of a minor port at Vizhinjam through a public-private partnership (PPP) framework.
• The proposed project is intended to complement the nearby Vizhinjam International Seaport and strengthen Kerala’s maritime infrastructure ecosystem.
• The selected private developer will be responsible for designing, financing, constructing, operating and maintaining the facility under a long-term concession arrangement.
• The initiative forms part of broader efforts to expand port-led development, enhance cargo-handling capabilities and support growing maritime trade along Kerala’s coastline.
The Kerala Maritime Board (KMB) has invited bids for the development of a minor port at Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram district, marking another step in Kerala’s efforts to expand its maritime infrastructure and strengthen port-led economic development. The project is being offered to private developers through a public-private partnership (PPP) model and is expected to complement the operations of the adjoining Vizhinjam International Seaport.
According to the tender document issued by KMB, the project will be implemented on a design, build, finance, operate and transfer (DBFOT) basis. The selected concessionaire will be responsible for the development, operation and maintenance of port infrastructure during the concession period, with the objective of creating additional maritime facilities capable of handling commercial and logistics-related activities.
The proposed development is expected to support Kerala’s strategy of creating an integrated maritime ecosystem around Vizhinjam. In recent months, the state government has advanced several infrastructure initiatives linked to the deepwater transshipment port, including logistics parks, rail connectivity projects, warehousing facilities and industrial development proposals.
Multiple reports indicate that the minor port project is intended to improve coastal shipping infrastructure and create additional capacity for maritime trade and allied activities. The facility is expected to serve as a supporting node within the larger logistics network emerging around Vizhinjam, which has been positioned as a major gateway for container traffic and transshipment operations.
The bid process outlines eligibility requirements for prospective developers, including technical capability and financial strength, with proposals to be evaluated through a competitive selection mechanism. The concessionaire will be expected to undertake infrastructure creation, operational management and maintenance in accordance with performance standards prescribed by KMB.
The project comes at a time when Vizhinjam is witnessing rapid infrastructure expansion. Alongside the operationalisation of the international seaport, the state government is pursuing rail connectivity projects, logistics investments and industrial development initiatives aimed at enhancing the port’s role in regional and international trade.
Officials expect the proposed minor port to contribute to cargo movement, coastal shipping and maritime-related business activity while supporting the long-term development of Vizhinjam as a key logistics and shipping hub on India’s western coast.
Source: KMB
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