Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday hailed the growth of Kerala’s ports as “remarkable,” citing Kollam, Beypore and Azheekal among those showing immense potential.
“Together, these facilities are making Kerala a true maritime gateway of India,” Sonowal said, praising the state’s commitment to the maritime sector.
Under the Sagarmala initiative, 54 projects worth around ₹24,000 crore have been taken up in Kerala. Of these, 20 projects worth more than ₹5,300 crore have been completed, while 34 projects worth around ₹18,600 crore are under implementation. These include new fishing harbour projects in Kannur and Thrissur, as well as the modernisation of the Kochi fishing harbour, benefitting thousands of fisherfolk.
Sonowal underlined the Centre’s vision to make India a global maritime superpower by 2047 and to transform it into a $30 trillion economy under the goals of Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat. He highlighted the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Thiruvananthapuram—India’s first fully automated transshipment port—which has already handled more than 10.63 lakh TEUs and berthed over 483 ships since its operationalisation in July last year.
“This is a shining example of the huge potential Kerala possesses,” he said, adding that the state has given India some of its finest seafarers, shipbuilders, and maritime professionals.
Sonowal also interacted with students pursuing maritime and shipping careers, calling them the “future of the nation” and the true beneficiaries of the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
