<p data-path-to-node="3"><b data-path-to-node="3" data-index-in-node="0">THIRUVANANTHAPURAM / NEW DELHI — Union Maritime Ministry and Kerala Government Review First Week of Gateway EXIM Operations as 'Mission Samudra' Moves to Link Coastal Terminals into a Single Intermodal Network</b></p><p data-path-to-node="4" id="p-rc_28809a17082b647a-154"><span data-path-to-node="4,0">Following the formal commencement of full-scale commercial Export-Import (EXIM) operations at Vizhinjam International Seaport, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and the Government of Kerala have reviewed the rapid scale-up of direct gateway flows</span><span data-path-to-node="4,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1580951906="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1580951906="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="4,2">. Operating as India’s flagship deepwater transshipment and commercial gateway, the deep-draft facility is actively processing factory-stuffed containerized consignments directly onto international mainline strings, bypassing intermediary offshore hubs</span><span data-path-to-node="4,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1580951906="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1580951906="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="4,4">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c647173997=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="5" id="p-rc_28809a17082b647a-155"><span data-path-to-node="5,0">Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan emphasized that the operational transition, backed by the state's newly launched ₹400-crore <b data-path-to-node="5,0" data-index-in-node="201">'Mission Samudra'</b> framework, marks a structural shift toward localized maritime logistics and port-led industrial growth</span><span data-path-to-node="5,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1580951906="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1580951906="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="5,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c647173997=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="7"><b data-path-to-node="7" data-index-in-node="0">Direct Mainline Calls Replace Foreign Transshipment Dependency</b></p><p data-path-to-node="8" id="p-rc_28809a17082b647a-156"><span data-path-to-node="8,0">Historically, nearly 75% of India’s containerized trade was subjected to secondary feeder handling and transshipment at foreign hubs like Colombo, Singapore, and Salalah</span><span data-path-to-node="8,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1580951906="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1580951906="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="8,2">. The activation of direct EXIM clearings under 24/7 Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Direct Port Entry (DPE) / Direct Port Delivery (DPD) protocols delivers immediate operational and financial relief to South Indian manufacturing belts</span><span data-path-to-node="8,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1580951906="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1580951906="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="8,4">:</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c647173997=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><ul data-path-to-node="9"><li><p data-path-to-node="9,0,0" id="p-rc_28809a17082b647a-157"><span data-path-to-node="9,0,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="9,0,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Significant Transit Compression:</b> Exporters routing agricultural produce, marine seafood, spices, cashew nuts, textiles, and engineering goods directly via Vizhinjam save 3 to 6 days in transit to European, Mediterranean, and US East Coast consumer markets</span><span data-path-to-node="9,0,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1580951906="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1580951906="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="9,0,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c647173997=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="9,1,0" id="p-rc_28809a17082b647a-158"><span data-path-to-node="9,1,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="9,1,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Landed Cost Reductions:</b> Eliminating double-handling feeder charges and currency conversion surcharges lowers aggregate shipping costs by an estimated $250 to $400 per TEU</span><span data-path-to-node="9,1,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1580951906="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1580951906="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="9,1,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c647173997=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="9,2,0" id="p-rc_28809a17082b647a-159"><span data-path-to-node="9,2,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="9,2,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">MSME Trade Velocity:</b> Direct vessel berthing protects small and medium enterprises from seasonal feeder shortages, high war-risk surcharges, and blank sailings across the Indian Ocean</span><span data-path-to-node="9,2,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1580951906="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1580951906="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="9,2,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c647173997=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li></ul><p data-path-to-node="11"><b data-path-to-node="11" data-index-in-node="0">'Mission Samudra': ₹400-Crore Framework for Coastal Intermodal Integration</b></p><p data-path-to-node="12">Anchoring the state’s port-led development strategy, 'Mission Samudra' establishes an integrated maritime network spanning Kerala’s 600-km coastline, 2 international seaports, and 17 non-major ports:</p><ul data-path-to-node="13"><li><p data-path-to-node="13,0,0" id="p-rc_28809a17082b647a-160"><span data-path-to-node="13,0,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="13,0,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Three Core Verticals:</b> Structured across <b data-path-to-node="13,0,0,0" data-index-in-node="40">Ports and Connectivity</b>, <b data-path-to-node="13,0,0,0" data-index-in-node="64">Logistics Development</b>, and <b data-path-to-node="13,0,0,0" data-index-in-node="91">Clusters and Cities</b>, the program encompasses 14 dedicated sub-schemes backed by a ₹400-crore catalytic fund designed to attract over 10 times the initial public investment by 2031</span><span data-path-to-node="13,0,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1580951906="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1580951906="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="13,0,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c647173997=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="13,1,0" id="p-rc_28809a17082b647a-161"><span data-path-to-node="13,1,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="13,1,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Coastal Waterway Migration:</b> The master plan synchronizes short-sea coastal feeder loops and inland waterways to divert over 50% of heavy regional freight away from congested National Highway corridors onto low-emission marine routes</span><span data-path-to-node="13,1,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1580951906="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1580951906="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="13,1,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c647173997=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="13,2,0" id="p-rc_28809a17082b647a-162"><span data-path-to-node="13,2,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="13,2,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Logistics and Warehousing Nodes:</b> The blueprint accelerates the development of 8 specialized industrial clusters, Free Trade Warehousing Zones (FTWZs), cold-chain perishable hubs, and off-dock Container Freight Stations (CFSs) along the outer ring road and hinterland rail links</span><span data-path-to-node="13,2,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1580951906="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1580951906="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="13,2,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c647173997=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li></ul><p data-path-to-node="15"><b data-path-to-node="15" data-index-in-node="0">Phase-2 Capacity Scaling Toward 5.7 Million TEUs</b></p><p data-path-to-node="16" id="p-rc_28809a17082b647a-163"><span data-path-to-node="16,0">Vizhinjam, developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) with Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ), features a natural deep-water draft of up to 20 meters, allowing it to dock the world’s largest Ultra-Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) of up to 24,000 TEU capacity without continuous maintenance dredging</span><span data-path-to-node="16,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1580951906="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1580951906="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="16,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c647173997=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="17" id="p-rc_28809a17082b647a-164"><span data-path-to-node="17,0">With the port having handled more than 2.2 million TEUs since initiating operations, APSEZ has advanced civil works on its ₹16,000-crore Phase 2 expansion</span><span data-path-to-node="17,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1580951906="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1580951906="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="17,2">. Slated for completion by late 2028, the expansion will scale total quay capacity to <b data-path-to-node="17,2" data-index-in-node="86">5.7 million TEUs annually</b>, integrating green bunkering infrastructure, specialized liquid berths, and advanced rail-mounted container yards to secure India’s position as a premier global transshipment and gateway nexus</span><span data-path-to-node="17,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1580951906="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1580951906="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="17,4">.</span></p>