Vallarpadam and Vizhinjam not rivals but complementary assets, says Cochin Port ex-chairman N. Ramachandran

N. Ramachandran left the Cochin Port in 2011 after serving the entity as its chairman for an eventful five years. However, the port never left him, it seems. The port’s development in tune with the changing requirements of a fast-growing world has always remained a pet theme of his, even years after stepping down from there. It is the same dream that he has shared in his memoir-like book “Notes from Willingdon Island,” which was released recently in Kochi by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Ramachandran remembers his stint at the port as a period of intense change. He duly credits “the port team” with pushing through the period despite financial, political and legal constraints. “It was a time of struggle but also one of renewal,” the IPS officer-turned-bureaucrat said. Edited excerpts from an interview with him.

There’s an overwhelming argument that the relevance of the Cochin port has been diminishing with most of the activities getting shifted to the Vallarpadam and Puthuvypeen terminals, and now with the commissioning of the Vizhinjam port. What’s your view on this?

It is not correct to say that the relevance of Cochin Port has diminished because activities have shifted to Vallarpadam and Puthuvypeen. In fact, these terminals are integral parts of the same port system. Vallarpadam houses the ICTT, while Puthuvypeen hosts the LNG terminal, LPG import facility, and major petroleum infrastructure. Both these areas have been notified as Port-Based SEZs. These expansions were conceived precisely to diversify and modernise the port’s portfolio, ensuring it could handle larger vessels, energy cargo, and growing container traffic. Together, they have significantly enhanced the port’s overall capacity and global competitiveness.

The ICTT at Vallarpadam and the newly constructed Vizhinjam port need not be seen as rivals but as complementary assets, in the context of India’s rapid economic growth. In fact, India needs many more container ports in the near future.

What should be the way forward for the port from your experience and understanding of maritime businesses?

The way forward for Cochin Port is to leverage its strengths while adapting to changes in global trade. Vallarpadam ICTT should consolidate its role as a transhipment hub for medium-sized mother vessels and as a feeder and gateway port, complementing Vizhinjam’s deep-draft operations for mega carriers. With LNG, LPG, and petroleum facilities at Puthuvypeen, Cochin can evolve into South India’s premier energy hub, driving LNG-based industries, bunkering services, and green hydrogen initiatives. Modern research centres in marine sciences, shipbuilding, dredging, and blue economy applications are essential. Expanding coastal shipping, cruise tourism, and marine exports will further strengthen Kerala’s blue economy. Building on e-Thuramugham, the port must now embrace AI, blockchain, and smart logistics. A strong sustainability agenda—renewables, carbon reduction, and coastal resilience—will secure long-term competitiveness and growth.

It is learned that cruise tourism is a major area of focus for the port now. How can Kochi make the maximum out of it?

Cruise tourism presents a tremendous opportunity for Kochi, given its strategic location, rich cultural heritage, and existing cruise shipping business. To maximise benefits, Kochi must actively promote itself as a home port for cruise vessels, not just a transit stop. Home porting will generate a higher economic impact, as it involves passenger embarkation, provisioning, crew changes, and longer tourist stays, directly benefiting hotels, restaurants, transport, and local businesses. To achieve this, Cochin Port should forge strong partnerships with the State and Central Tourism departments, ensuring seamless coordination on marketing, infrastructure, and visitor experience. Integrated tourist circuits across Kerala, coupled with efficient last-mile connectivity, will make Kochi a preferred cruise destination and a key player in India’s growing cruise tourism sector.