Chief Minister Satheesan outlines a plan to link Kerala's ports into one 'port city'

10 October 2026

Chief Minister V D Satheesan said the UDF government is working on an integrated port-based logistics network so that the entire State becomes a single port city, in a PTI interview reported on 10 October 2026. The plan aims to make better use of Kerala's 600-km coastline and to shift 50 per cent of logistics from roads to the sea. He said Vizhinjam International Seaport, which has started export-import activities, is only 10 nautical miles from the international shipping route. The Southern Economic Corridor announced in the budget has port-based activities in Thiruvananthapuram, a mineral corridor in Kollam and blue economy activities in Alappuzha. On the proposed sale of shares in the Vizhinjam port to Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), he said an empowered committee headed by the Chief Secretary is examining it. Under the concession agreement, the transfer needs the State government's approval and strategic clearance from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Plans for an aviation hub include a pilot training institute in Kannur.