Shillong: A media delegation comprising accredited media representatives from Meghalaya and Sikkim, on a joint Press Tour to Kerala organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), visited the Cochin Port Authority in Kochi today to gain first-hand insights into the Port’s operations, infrastructure development, cargo handling, cruise tourism and sustainability initiatives.
The significance of Cochin Port is further enhanced by its strategic location along major international maritime routes, including the Gulf–Singapore shipping channel. Its connectivity and proximity to key global trade routes position it as an important gateway for cargo movement and international trade. The Port also plays an important role in strengthening logistics and market access for products from different parts of the country, including the Northeast.
The delegation interacted with Satish Honnakkattee, Deputy Chairperson, Cochin Port Authority, who briefed the visiting journalists on the Port’s development, capacity expansion and strategic role as a major maritime gateway to peninsular India. He highlighted the vision and initiatives of Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, towards modernisation, capacity enhancement, sustainability and technological advancement in India’s ports and maritime sector, and their contribution to strengthening the country’s maritime competitiveness.
Heads and senior officials from various departments of the Cochin Port Authority were also present during the briefing, including Capt. Himanshu Shekhar, Traffic Manager; Capt. T. Muthu Kumar, Deputy Conservator; Col. Jassar SM, Chief Engineer; Smt. Jayalakshmi R. Kurup, Chief Medical Officer; Sri B. Bhagyanath, FA & CAO; Sri Joydeep Ghosh Dastidar, Secretary; and Sri Jimmy George, Consultant, Business Development, who shared insights into different aspects of the Port’s functioning and development.
The delegation was informed that Cochin Port handled 38.06 million tonnes of cargo during 2025–26, with 1,214 vessels handled during the year. The Port handles a diverse range of cargo, including crude oil, petroleum and other oil products, containers, cement, steel, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas and cruise traffic. Its present capacity of around 80.5 million tonnes per annum is planned to increase to nearly 98 million tonnes by 2030 and 135 million tonnes by 2047.
The officials also highlighted Cochin Port’s green initiatives. All six quay cranes and 19 transfer and gantry cranes have been electrified, while seven electric vehicle charging stations have been installed within the Port. The Port supplies electricity from the shore to port craft, Navy and Coast Guard vessels, with around 44 lakh units supplied annually. An 8-megavolt-ampere ship-to-shore power facility at the Cruise Terminal has also been approved under the Sagarmala programme, with the tendering process underway. The Port is also pursuing plans for liquefied natural gas bunkering services.
Other initiatives include international certifications for environmental management and occupational health and safety, the Geospatial Land Management Information System for efficient land management, digitisation of port operations for paperless transactions and smart metering through renewal of the water distribution network.
The delegation was further briefed on Cochin’s growing cruise tourism potential. The International Cruise Terminal can handle about 2,000 passengers and has dedicated customs, immigration and security facilities. During 2025–26, the Port recorded 43,376 cruise passengers and 16,043 crew members, with 29 cruise ships bringing a total cruise traffic of 59,419 persons. A new cruise terminal with homeporting facilities, estimated at ₹150 crore, has been proposed for commencement in January 2027 and completion by December 2029, subject to requisite approvals.
Major capacity expansion projects, including redevelopment of the North Coal Berth into a fully mechanised terminal for petroleum and liquid cargo, strengthening and deepening of Q6 and Q7 berths, and construction of a mooring dolphin beyond Q9 berth, were also highlighted. These projects, estimated at around ₹2,910 crore, are expected to add approximately 17.62 million tonnes per annum to the Port’s handling capacity.
As part of the visit, the media delegation undertook a boat visit to the major operational areas of Cochin Port through the backwaters, providing the journalists with a first-hand view of the Port’s berths, cargo-handling infrastructure, marine operations and waterfront facilities. The delegation also visited the Ernakulam Wharf, where they observed port infrastructure and operations at close quarters.
The press tour aims to provide media representatives from the Northeast with first-hand exposure to major infrastructure and development initiatives in Kerala, facilitating wider dissemination of information on the country’s development journey and emerging opportunities. The visit was facilitated in coordination with the Office of Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
