Adani Ports plans to build a 100-acre container freight station at Vizhinjam Port to enable full EXIM operations after CBIC conditions. The move follows final CBIC approval for the port to commence full EXIM operations from August 18, subject to specific requirements. Regulators required the presence of a CFS before allowing certain inbound and outbound consignments to be handled at the terminal.

A container freight station is a full service warehouse where goods are staged, sorted and prepared for last mile logistics. It can handle both full container load shipments used by a single shipper and less than container load shipments used by multiple shippers. This differs from container yards where full loads are stored long term and empty containers may remain for extended periods.

The CBIC order allowed only inbound full container load consignments eligible for direct port delivery, which must reach the importer's premises within 48 hours of landing. Inbound less than container load consignments, loose cargo and containers requiring de-stuffing or CFS examination were not permitted until a CFS is established. Similar limits were applied to outbound shipments, constraining the scope of gateway trade until the freight station is operational.

August 18 will mark the flagging off of the first export container at the port, officially starting EXIM operations. During the initial phase, 70 per cent of cargo handled is expected to remain as transshipments while the remainder serves as gateway cargo. Ports and logistics operators will therefore prioritise infrastructure that ensures rapid customs processing and swift delivery to final destinations.

A rail link integrating the terminal with the state mainline is planned to be completed in about four years and will further boost EXIM throughput. The state government has proposed Mission Samudra under which it earmarked Rs four billion (bn) to transform Kerala into a port state. The planned container freight station is expected to fill a key logistical gap by enabling de-stuffing, temporary storage and coordinated customs clearance to support growing gateway volumes.