In a major push to strengthen the Vizhinjam port-led industrial and logistics ecosystem, the Kerala government has given in-principle approval for the establishment of multimodal logistics parks (MMLPs) by three central public sector undertakings—Container Corporation of India (Concor), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOC) and the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC).
Government orders approving projects by Concor and CWC were issued by the state ports department last week, while the order for IOC was issued on January 14. Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the three PSUs are expected to be signed later this month in the presence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, official sources said.
Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL), the state-owned company implementing the transshipment port project, has already identified land parcels for the proposed facilities. Around 25 acres at Kottukal, close to the port, has been earmarked for Concor to set up a multimodal logistics park. For CWC, about 50 acres has been identified at Amaravila near Neyyattinkara, located along the Thiruvananthapuram–Nagercoil railway line, for a large warehouse and logistics complex. IOC is proposed to be allotted nearly 20 acres in the vicinity of the port.
According to the government order, the Managing Director of VISL has been authorised to negotiate the terms and conditions of long-term land lease agreements with Concor and to sign a non-binding MoU, subject to final government approval.
Concor, a PSU under the Ministry of Railways, had initially sought up to 100 acres near Vizhinjam for developing an MMLP. Following discussions, VISL and Concor jointly identified a more compact 25-acre site at Kottukal. Land cost in the area is estimated at Rs 7–8 crore per acre. The land will be acquired by VISL and leased to Concor, which will develop the infrastructure and secure statutory clearances with facilitation from VISL.
Similarly, CWC, a statutory PSU under the Union government, had proposed the allocation of up to 50 acres near a railway line to strengthen cargo-handling infrastructure linked to the transshipment hub. VISL identified land along the existing railway corridor at Amaravila, with acquisition costs estimated at Rs 4–4.5 crore per acre.
IOC has expressed interest in setting up marine fuel bunkering facilities at Vizhinjam in line with international standards. The company had sought 30–40 acres with access to designated bunker jetties. VISL has proposed leasing 20 acres on a long-term basis of 30–40 years in the initial phase, with an additional 20 acres expected to be made available within a year. IOC will develop tank farms and related infrastructure and obtain the necessary statutory approvals.
A senior VISL official said these projects would act as anchor investments and help attract more logistics, shipping and industrial players to the Vizhinjam ecosystem, reinforcing the port’s role as a major transshipment and maritime logistics hub.
