Kerala govt eyes Feb 2027 launch for ₹25 crore Vizhinjam Port container freight station

A day after the foundation stone laying ceremony for the Vizhinjam Port's ₹25 crore container freight station (CFS) on Wednesday, Kerala industries minister P.K. Kunhalikutty explained that the new facility would offer a major boost for not just port logistics, but also overall commerce in the state.

The new CFS is a part of the state government's 100-day action plan—a targeted governance and development initiative across various sectors, which had been a major part of CM V.D. Satheesan's manifesto for the 2026 polls.

It will be built by the Kerala State Industrial Enterprises Limited (KSIE) on about five acres of land at the Travancore Spinning Mills (TSM) compound in Balaramapuram, with the remaining land retained for the mill’s operations.

"In the days to come, the Vizhinjam CFS will evolve into the state's largest public-sector logistics hub," Kunhalikutty wrote in a Facebook post on Thursday, noting that it would expedite port operations and generate fresh jobs for the youth.

The CFS will be built in four phases, after which it will begin commercial operations in February 2027.

“As the first dedicated facility for Vizhinjam, we are targeting an initial capacity of 2,000-2,500 TEUs per month. To put that in perspective, our Vallarpadam unit handles 1,000-1,500 TEUs monthly," Josemon M.D., general manager (CFS), KSIE, told Indian Express.

Usually located either within a port or at an inland location, a CFS is where goods are loaded into—or unloaded from—containers. In that regard, KSIE's new facility is strategically located just 15-20 minutes away from the port.

CFSs are very important for export-import (EXIM) operations, because they serve as a full-service warehouse that stages, sorts, and prepares cargo for last-mile logistics.

More importantly, when the Vizhinjam Port received approval from the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) to begin EXIM operations from August 18 onwards, it was only allowed to handle full container load (FCL) shipments—or containers with cargo used by only one shipper—eligible for Direct Port Delivery, which is to be delivered to the importer's premises within 48 hours of landing.

Having a CFS will give the port the ability to handle less than container load (LCL) shipments—containers with cargo used by multiple shippers—loose cargo, or containers requiring de-stuffing/CFS examination.

The state government's new CFS also sets the pace for a larger such facility planned for the Vizhinjam Port by its concessionaire, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ).

ALSO READ | Why Adani Ports plans to build 100-acre container freight station for Vizhinjam Port

Adani Ports' CFS will be built on 100 acres of land near the Thiruvananthapuram-based port after EXIM operations pick up and stabilise.