The Kerala state government has initiated steps to develop five ports within its boundaries, in addition to the international container transhipment terminal planned at Vizhinjam, near Thiruvananthapuram.

The largest of the five would be Thangassery port in Kollam, where the existing wharf would be extended to 200m and the draught deepened from 8m to 10m to allow larger ships to call.

Kerala Minister for Ports M Vijayakumar said the government has completed the process of identifying a consultant to prepare a project report, and also to rope in a private partner for Thangassery’s integrated development.

The port has already been declared a commercial one by the central government, and a sum of US$4.7million sanctioned for its development. It has also been categorised as a Customs port, capable of receiving and exporting international cargo.

Of the other ports proposed for development, Beypore port in Kozhikode and Ponnani are to be developed with private participation, and global tenders have already been invited. A marina-cum-cargo port is to be established in Alappuzha.

The central government has included Azhikkal port in the National Maritime Development Programme and has estimated that it would cost $34.9 million to develop it.

The tender process for the development of the proposed international container transhipment terminal at Vizhinjam would be completed this year.

As many as 43 companies, including 12 foreign ones, took part in the investors’ meeting in Thiruvananthapuram in April. The first phase of the project will be completed within three years.

The government-run Rail India Technical and Economic Services, which had been commissioned to conduct a feasibility study on establishing rail and road connectivity to the terminal, is to submit its report later this month.