A new bunkering service has been launched at a port under the Kerala Maritime Board, marking a key step toward strengthening the state’s coastal shipping and maritime support infrastructure.
The initiative aims to provide fuel supply services to vessels calling at the port, improving operational efficiency and reducing turnaround times for coastal and regional shipping traffic. The availability of bunkering is expected to enhance the port’s attractiveness for cargo vessels, fishing fleets, and small commercial ships operating along India’s western coast.
Officials said the service will support the growth of coastal shipping by offering a reliable and locally accessible fuel supply option, reducing dependence on major ports for bunkering needs. This is likely to encourage more vessel calls and improve cargo movement through minor ports in the state.
The development aligns with broader efforts to boost maritime activity in Kerala by upgrading port facilities and promoting multimodal logistics. Enhanced services such as bunkering are seen as critical to integrating smaller ports into national and regional trade networks.
Industry stakeholders noted that expanding bunkering capabilities at non-major ports can help decongest larger hubs while improving last-mile maritime connectivity. It also supports cost efficiencies for ship operators by minimising detours for refuelling.
Authorities added that further infrastructure upgrades and service expansions are being planned to position Kerala’s ports as competitive nodes in India’s coastal and short-sea shipping ecosystem.