Cochin Port, Vallarpadam Terminal set for further expansion: Minister Sonowal
Union Minister for Ports,Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal (file photo)
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The Hindu/RAJESH N
Kerala anchors India’s vision of becoming maritime superpower by 2047, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has said.
The Cochin Port and its Vallarpadam transhipment terminal are set for further expansion to accommodate rising cargo flows. Under Sagarmala, 54 projects worth ₹24,000 crore are being executed in Kerala, of which 20 are already complete, he said.
Speaking at an event here, the Minister said all of this is aimed at harnessing the State’s maritime potential as well as unlock opportunities to further the larger goal of maritime excellence.
Kerala, according to the Minister, has emerged as a key driver of this maritime resurgence. The Vizhinjam International Seaport operational since 2024, is India’s first fully automated transhipment hub and has already handled 10.6 lakh TEUs and nearly 500 ships. Cochin Shipyard — builder of INS Vikrant — is expanding its global footprint in shipbuilding and repair.
The Kochi Water Metro — Asia’s largest integrated water transport system — is revolutionising urban connectivity with 78 electric-hybrid vessels connecting 10 island communities. Kerala’s waterways are also being developed as economic corridors. National Waterway 3 and the International Cruise Terminal in Kochi have unlocked tourism and logistics opportunities, with the terminal welcoming 105 cruise ships and 1.4 lakh passengers in just three years, he said.
The maritime sector in the country is undergoing a transformative shift, positioning the nation as a future global maritime superpower. Under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, India is set to attract investments worth ₹80 lakh crore, generate over 1.5 crore jobs, and accelerate green shipping practices, he said.
The ‘Sagarmala’ programme is driving this change with 840 projects worth ₹5.8 lakh crore under implementation by 2035. Already, 272 projects worth ₹1.41 lakh crore have been completed. India’s major ports have reduced turnaround time to 0.9 days, faster than global benchmarks in the U.S, Germany and Singapore. Nine Indian ports are now ranked among the world’s top 100, he said.
Published on September 17, 2025
