Cochin Port Authority to Deepen Vallarpadam Channel to 16 Metres in ₹600–700 Crore Capital Dredging Project
Cochin Port Authority (CoPA) is moving ahead with a plan to deepen the 12-km-long channel leading to the International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadam, operated by DP World, from the current 14.5 metres to 16 metres. The capital dredging work is estimated to cost ₹600–700 crore, with CoPA seeking full funding from the Union government.
A Detailed Project Report for the deepening work has been prepared with assistance from Voyants Solutions Pvt Ltd. Alongside the channel deepening, DP World has been asked to extend the existing berth by 350 metres to accommodate 16-metre draft vessels, an investment estimated at around ₹1,800 crore.
The combined upgrade is intended to allow the terminal to handle ultra-large container vessels and attract more mainline shipping calls, strengthening Cochin's position as a transhipment hub on India's southern coast. The deepening initiative follows competitive pressure from the nearby Vizhinjam Port, which already offers deeper draft capacity.
CoPA and DP World have signed an MoU to take forward the channel deepening and terminal modernisation plans, with discussions continuing over throughput commitments and cost-sharing arrangements between the two parties. Environmental and financial clearances are expected to follow before execution begins