Competition from Vizhinjam Port is now clearly impacting transshipment traffic at ICTT Vallarpadam, with volumes dropping sharply by nearly 50 per cent in FY26.
According to available data, trans-shipment volumes at the DP World–operated terminal fell to 85,911 TEUs in FY26, down from 1,70,000 TEUs in FY25. Overall cargo throughput also declined by 8 per cent, reaching 7,67,948 TEUs compared to 8,34,665 TEUs the previous year. As a result, trans-shipment now makes up only around 11 per cent of the terminal’s total volume.
As per figures, Vizhinjam Port handled transhipment volume of 13 lakh TEU’s between FY25 April to March FY26. The terminal handled 890 ships since it started commercial operations in December 2024 by handling 18.57 lakh TEUs. The average monthly handling of containers is 1.2 lakh TEUs from an average 60 ships including mother vessels.
When contacted Dipin Kayyath, Chief Executive Officer - Ports & Terminals DP World Cochin said “Our Exim cargo has grown by 5.6 per cent in FY26 while coastal volumes have remained steady. Ad‑hoc transshipment continues to be opportunistic, shaped largely by geopolitical shifts in trade routes. At DP World Cochin, we are proud to maintain a strong and steady performance, driven by our long‑term commitment to growth and enhanced operational efficiencies. This reflects our resilience and focus on enabling trade for the region. The recent milestone of handling over 8,000 TEUs from MSC Ilaria in a single call stands as a testament to our efficiency, capability, and the trust our customers place in us.”
However, industry sources said that Vizhinjam Port has been actively wooing cargo, particularly large container vessels that previously called at Kochi. A key advantage is Vizhinjam’s natural draft of 18 metres, which can accommodate ultra-large container ships, whereas the Vallarpadam channel is limited to a depth of 14.5 metres.
The option before Vallarpadam terminal to attract bigger vessels is to deepen the draft in its basin from the present 14.5 metres to 16 metres. The Cochin Port management has submitted a proposal to the Shipping Ministry to carry out capital dredging to increase the depth which would involve a cost of Rs600 crore, they added.
Varghese K.George, president of Kerala Steamer Agents Association said that shipping line MSC made several ad hoc calls at Kochi as congestion at Colombo Port disrupted normal vessel schedules. The situation was compounded by capacity constraints at Mundra port, resulting in the diversion of vessels to alternative ports along the west coast.
Vizhinjam Port, which has been handling a share of the diverted traffic, faced limitations in yard space and berthing capacity during peak periods. This, in turn, led to ICTT Vallarpadam accommodating additional volumes, he said.
As an all-weather port, Kochi has an advantage of allowing uninterrupted operations even during the monsoon and this operational stability made it an attractive choice for shipping lines seeking quick turnaround and minimal delays.
Published on April 23, 2026