New Delhi, August 14, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Direct export-import (EXIM) cargo operations at Kerala’s Vizhinjam International Seaport will commence on August 18, marking a significant expansion of the port’s role from an international transshipment hub to a gateway for India’s overseas trade, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said on Friday.
Welcoming the development in a post on X, Tharoor said the start of direct EXIM movement would be an important milestone in ensuring that Kerala begins to derive direct economic benefits from the international port.
“As MP representing the area, I am delighted about this news,” he said.
Vizhinjam has so far largely handled transshipment operations, under which containers are transferred between large mother vessels and feeder ships. Tharoor noted that about 60 per cent of the containers handled at the port to date have originated from or been destined for other countries.
The commencement of gateway operations will allow Vizhinjam to handle cargo directly originating from or destined for Indian importers and exporters, thereby broadening its commercial role in the country’s maritime sector.
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan will formally inaugurate the commencement of EXIM operations, according to the information shared by Tharoor.
The Customs authorities have already issued a detailed operational framework for the new gateway cargo services. The rollout will initially follow a phased approach covering customs clearance and cargo-handling procedures.
During the first phase, import operations are expected to include direct port delivery of full-container-load consignments, while exports will cover factory-stuffed and sealed full-container-load cargo.
Located near Thiruvananthapuram, Vizhinjam is among India’s deepest-water ports and has been developed as a major international transshipment facility.
The shift to direct EXIM operations is expected to improve access to international shipping services for businesses in Kerala and neighbouring regions and strengthen the state’s position in the global maritime logistics network.
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