Kottayam Port Plans Water Link to Vizhinjam

17 Jul 2025 CW Team

Kottayam Port and Container Terminal, India’s first inland container depot (ICD), is planning to establish inland water connectivity with Vizhinjam Port to enable efficient cargo transshipment. The proposal has received a favourable response from the Kerala government, and port authorities have held initial discussions with the Customs Commissioner. They are optimistic about achieving a minimum daily movement of 30 TEUs to Vizhinjam.

KM Roopesh Babu, General Manager of the port, noted that dredging via Thrikkunnapuzha and the Thottappally Spillway would be essential to establish this route. A recent market survey suggests that inland cargo movement could increase by approximately 2,000 TEUs per month, supporting exporters across the Central Travancore region.

The Kottayam facility could act as a customs clearance hub for international cargo, streamlining onward movement to Vizhinjam and easing congestion at the main port. Inland water connectivity is also expected to reduce road traffic, ensuring timely cargo arrivals, Babu added.

As part of its expansion, a Rs 40 million reach stacker will soon be brought in from Beypore. Since operations began in 2012, Kottayam Port has handled over 25,000 TEUs to Vallarpadam Container Transshipment Terminal, contributing Rs 920 million to government revenue through taxes. The port’s main cargo includes natural rubber, rubber mats, clinkers, and machinery.

Expansion efforts have gained momentum with a UK-based firm showing interest in investing. The proposed three-phase development, requiring Rs 200 million, includes new berths, container yards, warehouses, and handling equipment.

Though Kottayam ICD has received regulatory clearance to use inland waterways, most cargo still moves by road to Kochi. The proposed water route to Vizhinjam is seen as a strategic move to transform regional logistics and reduce highway congestion.

Infrastructure Urban

30 Aug 2025

Delivering metals in 24 hours with AI

India’s metal supply chain has long struggled with delays, fragmentation and lack of transparency, forcing purchase teams to chase vendors and juggle uncertain stock. Enlight Metals is tackling these inefficiencies with an AI-powered aggregation platform, multilingual voice-enabled procurement and strategically located dark stores that enable 24-hour delivery – transforming how OEMs, EPCs and infrastructure players source their metals. In a conversation with CW, Dhananjay Goel, Director, and Vedant Goel, Director, shares how the company is reshaping procurement. What problem..

Silvin's CPVC Additive Gets NSF® Certification for Safety

Silvin Additives, a prominent manufacturer of PVC and CPVC additives, has secured the NSF® Guideline 533 certification for its CPVC Super1Pack formulation. This certification affirms the additive’s compliance with stringent international health and safety standards for products intended for drinking water applications.Awarded by NSF, a globally respected public health and safety authority based in Michigan, United States, the certification is granted only after rigorous product testing and inspection. NSF® Guideline 533 specifically assesses the safety of chemical ingredients used in produ..

Mitsubishi Halts Offshore Wind Projects in Japan

Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) has announced its decision to withdraw from three major offshore wind projects off the coast of Japan due to a significant shift in global business conditions. The projects were being developed through a consortium led by its subsidiary, Mitsubishi Corporation Offshore Wind Ltd., and were located off the shores of Noshiro City, Mitane Town, and Oga City in Akita Prefecture; Yurihonjo City in Akita Prefecture; and Choshi City in Chiba Prefecture.The company stated that following a review initiated in February 2025, it concluded the projects were no longer viable. The..