<p data-path-to-node="5">Strengthening its blue economy and maritime infrastructure footprint, the <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="103">Government of Kerala</b> has unveiled an expanded multi-billion-rupee investment roadmap to develop advanced <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="208">Port-Led Industrial Cities</b> and execute turnkey marine infrastructure projects under the national <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="305">Maritime India Vision 2047</b>.</p><p data-path-to-node="6">The initiative, championed by the State Fisheries and Ports Ministry, aims to leverage Kerala’s strategic 590 km coastline and 44 rivers to attract private capital, diversify coastal cargo flows, and lower logistics transaction costs.<span class=""> A primary focus of the investment drive is the development of automated container and bulk handling infrastructure at primary and minor ports,</span> including the phased expansion of the automated <b data-path-to-node="6" data-index-in-node="426">Vizhinjam International Transhipment Deepwater Multimodal Seaport</b> (VIST).</p><p data-path-to-node="7">Beyond major hubs, the state is prioritizing the creation of coastal shipping networks, multi-cargo inland waterway terminals, automated passenger jetties, and smart aquaculture clusters to foster sustainable, diversified blue-economic growth.</p><h3 data-path-to-node="9">Key Operational Highlights &amp; Infrastructure CAPEX</h3><ul data-path-to-node="10"><li><p data-path-to-node="10,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Development of Port-Led Industrial Cities:</b> Kerala plans to develop designated industrial cities adjacent to primary port gateways. This policy aims to facilitate value-added manufacturing, food processing, and logistics services within specialized coastal industrial zones, capitalizing on direct deep-draft maritime export access.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,1,0" data-index-in-node="0">Support for Phased VIST and Minor Port Expansion:</b> The investment roadmap integrates automated infrastructure scaling at the key deepwater Vizhinjam (VIST) transhipment hub and supports automated modernisations at state-owned minor ports such as Azhikal, Ponnani, Kollam, and Alappuzha to diversify domestic and feeder traffic.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,2,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,2,0" data-index-in-node="0">Inland Waterway and Multi-Cargo Terminals:</b> Kerala is investing heavily in developing national waterways (like NW-3) to move high-volume bulk commodities off congested highway channels. This includes constructing modern automated terminals for multi-commodity (petroleum, bulk, container) handling.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,3,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,3,0" data-index-in-node="0">Modernisation of Coastal Shipping and Passenger Transport:</b> The investment push includes funding the construction of automated passenger ferry jetties, roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) terminals, and coastal feeder vessel acquisition to enhance last-mile connectivity for passengers and domestic goods.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,4,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,4,0" data-index-in-node="0">Sustainable Blue Economy and Coastal Livelihoods:</b> Beyond cargo, Kerala is prioritizing sustainable investments in modernised fishing harbours, automated aquaculture parks, deep-sea fishing fleet upgrades, and marine tourism infrastructure to foster diversified coastal economic resilience.</p></li></ul>