Kerala’s Vizhinjam Port gets customs clearance for EXIM and domestic cargo operations

Thiruvananthapuram: Customs clearance has been granted for export-import (EXIM) cargo and domestic operations at Vizhinjam Port. The primary approval was issued by the Customs and Central Excise Department under the Union Ministry of Finance, while the final clearance is expected soon from the Customs Commissionerate in Kochi after completing the remaining procedures.

The licence has been awarded to Adani Vizhinjam Port Company. With this, EXIM trade through Vizhinjam Port to and from the country can commence. Following the approval, customs broking firms operating in various ports across India are set to open offices in Vizhinjam. Cargo operations will be routed through these companies. A customs office had already begun functioning at the port utility building adjacent to the harbour.

However, domestic exports cannot start immediately as road connectivity from the port to the national highway is yet to be completed. Service roads also need to be widened for container trucks to access the highway. The road works are expected to be completed by December. The Adani Group is planning to begin trial operations in October using the existing routes for limited domestic cargo movement. In the initial phase, the possibility of moving containers at night via the Mullur Road near the port will be tested.