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Thiruvananthapuram: In a major boost that is set to enhance the port efficiency and the turnaround time of the Vizhinjam international sea-port, the union government has granted the status of the Immigration Check Post (ICP). The recognition was provided in a gazette notification issued by the central government on November 20. Thus, Vizhinjam is now officially holding the status of an immigration check post under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 along with other main ports of Dubai, Singapore and Cochin.
The turnaround time (the average time ships spend at a port) of vessels in the port, one of the crucial performance indicators in the global maritime industry, reflecting port efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and competitiveness, will be significantly reduced with the setting up a permanent ICP.
However, the most important advantage of the permanent ICP is the process of starting crew change in Thiruvananthapuram. Strategically situated just 10 nautical miles from the busy international shipping route connecting Europe, the Persian Gulf and the Far East, and its proximity to the East-West axis which accounts for a substantial quantum of global maritime trade, now the large and small vessels passing through the international shipping route can perform the crew change without much deviation from the route, which is one of the key benchmarks of global ocean commerce.
Though Kochi has ICP status, large vessels do not go to the Cochin port to perform crew change in normal circumstances as it is significantly away from the international shipping channel compared to Vizhinjam. Further, Vizhinjam has an advantage when it comes to attending to medical emergencies at sea. Since the global shipping industry is dominated by crew from Philippines, followed by Indians (Keralites account for a lion’s share among Indians), Russians, Chinese, Ukraine, the sailors from India and abroad could sing in and sign off here.
The local hospitality industry will benefit significantly as most senior crew will stay in luxury hotels, ranging from three to five stars, according to a senior government official. Additionally, as there are no no major hubs between Singapore, a major bunkering port, and Fujairah, Vizhinjam can leverage its strategic position, with ICP providing an added advantage.
Singapore is one of the largest and important bunkering ports in the world followed by Fujairah. Since there is no major bunkering hub between these ports, Vizhinjam can make use of its strategic position to leverage on this for which ICP is an added advantage, said the officer.
