The South Indian state of Kerala has a coastline of around 590 km. The state is home to a major port (Cochin Port) operated by Cochin Port Authority & DP World and owned by Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways under Government of India and other 19 non major ports including Vizhinjam International Seaport Thiruvananthapuram, India's first and only deep water automatic transshipment port.In India the ports under central government is classified as Major Ports and other Ports are classified as non major Port

Ports in Kerala is located in Kerala
Kollam
Kollam
Neendakara
Neendakara
Alleppey
Alleppey
Kayamkulam
Kayamkulam
Manakkodam
Manakkodam
Ponnani
Ponnani
Kodungallur
Kodungallur
Beypore
Beypore
MALABAR
MALABAR
Quilandy
Quilandy
Thalasserry
Thalasserry
Kannur
Kannur
Kasaragod
Kasaragod
Azhikkal
Azhikkal
Manjeswaram
Manjeswaram
Neeleswaram
Neeleswaram
Ports in Kerala
Kochi Port
Port of Cannanore (Kannur)
Kollam Port as seen from Tangasseri Lighthouse
Quilandy harbour

Kochi Port, also known as Cochin Port, is the only major port in Kerala and a prominent, historically significant port located on the southwest coast of India. It is strategically positioned on the Arabian Sea and has been a crucial center for trade and maritime activities for centuries. The port serves as a gateway for international and domestic trade, facilitating the import and export of a wide range of goods, including spices, tea, coffee, and seafood.

Kochi Port’s importance is underscored by its modern infrastructure, including the International Container Transshipment Terminal, Kochi (ICTT) at Vallarpadam, which is capable of handling large mother ships. Additionally, the port features an oil terminal that serves one of India’s largest oil refinery Kochi Refineries, and it has facilities Kochi LNG Terminal for LNG (liquefied natural gas) handling. The Cochin Shipyard, one of India’s leading shipbuilding and maintenance facilities, is also part of the port’s extensive infrastructure. Moreover, the Kochi International Marina, the first full-fledged marina in India, adds to the port’s significance by catering to the needs of yacht owners and promoting nautical tourism. Kochi Port supports the state’s economy by boosting tourism, fishing, and various other industries. The port is also pivotal in enhancing regional connectivity and fostering economic growth through maritime trade, contributing significantly to the overall development of Kerala.

The Vizhinjam International Seaport Thiruvananthapuram is India's first and only deep-water container transshipment port. Situated just 10 nautical miles from the international east-west shipping route, it boasts a natural depth of 20 meters and is a greenfield, all-weather, international transshipment port, Build on BOOT method (Build, Own, Operate & Transfer) by Adani Groups. Notably, it holds the distinction of being India's first automated port and is the only one in the country located adjacent to an international shipping route. The Trivandrum Seaport, Vizhinjam is a versatile facility capable of accommodating the largest cargo vessels in the world, including Ultra Large Container Ships (ULCS). Upon full completion, this seaport will be able to meet 75 percent of India's container transshipment demands, which are currently handled in Dubai, Colombo, and Singapore.

Beypore Port handles most of the non-major port traffic in the state. It has both cargo and passenger services.

Neendakara Harbour is the biggest harbour in the Asian continent.

Ports owned by the central government are classified as major ports in India, while other ports are classified as minor ports.

No Port Location District Port Type Draft Deviation from International Suez to Singapore/Far East route Port operation mode Dredging Immigration facility Remarks
1 Cochin Port Ernakulam Major 14.5 74 nautical miles (137 km) Manual Yes Yes Inland Port
2 Vizhinjam International Seaport Thiruvananthapuram(Trivandrum Seaport) Thiruvananthapuram Major 24 10 nautical miles (19 km) Automatic/Semi automatic No/Minimal No Seaport
3 Quilon (Kollam) Kollam Minor 13.2 30 nautical miles (56 km) Manual Yes Yes Seaport[1]
4 Calicut Kozhikode Minor 8.6 100 nautical miles (190 km) Manual Yes Yes Seaport
5 Valiyathura Thiruvananthapuram Minor 8 13 nautical miles (24 km) Manual Yes No Seaport
6 Neendakara Kollam Minor 7 30 nautical miles (56 km) Manual Yes No Seaport
7 Kayamkulam Alappuzha Minor 6 40 nautical miles (74 km) Manual Yes No Seaport
8 Aleppey Alappuzha Minor 6 45 nautical miles (83 km) Manual Yes No Seaport
9 Manakkodam Alappuzha Minor 6 45 nautical miles (83 km) Manual Yes No Seaport
10 Kottayam Kottayam Minor 6.5 36 nautical miles (67 km) Manual Yes No Inland Port
11 Kodungallur Thrissur Minor 5.6 80 nautical miles (150 km) Manual Yes No Seaport
12 Ponnani Malapuram Minor 6 95 nautical miles (176 km) Manual Yes No Seaport
13 Beypore Kozhikode Minor 5 100 nautical miles (190 km) Manual Yes No Riverine
14 Koyilandy Kozhikode Minor 6 100 nautical miles (190 km) Manual Yes No Seaport
15 Thalassery Kannur Minor 5.6 90 nautical miles (170 km) Manual Yes No Seaport
16 Kannur Kannur Minor 5 90 nautical miles (170 km) Manual Yes No Seaport
17 Azhikkal Kannur Minor 5 90 nautical miles (170 km) Manual Yes No seaport
18 Nileshwaram Kasargod Minor 6 90 nautical miles (170 km) Manual Yes No Seaport
19 Kasargod Kasargod Minor 5 92 nautical miles (170 km) Manual Yes No Seaport
20 Manjeswaram Kasargod Minor 6 90 nautical miles (170 km) Manual Yes No Seaport

References

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  1. ^ "Kollam port gets ICP clearance". The Hindu. 15 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  • Chandran, VP (2018). Mathrubhumi Yearbook Plus - 2019 (Malayalam Edition). Kozhikode: P. V. Chandran, Managing Editor, Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing Company Limited, Kozhikode.


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