The Cochin Port Authority (CPA) made a significant splash at the recent five-day India Maritime Week 2025, which concluded in Mumbai on Friday, October 31, 2025. The authority successfully finalized 10 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for projects valued at an impressive ₹10,000 crore, signaling a major boost for the region’s maritime sector.
Among these pivotal agreements, two stand out with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL). The largest of these is a ₹3,800 crore infrastructure development project, a collaborative effort with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, focusing on establishing a state-of-the-art block fabrication facility. Additionally, CPA and CSL joined forces for a ₹1,500 crore MoU dedicated to setting up an international ship repair facility. Another substantial MoU was signed with IGTPL DP World, committing ₹1,500 crore to enhance the handling capacities at the International Container Transshipment Terminal located in Vallarpadam.
Further strengthening its operational capabilities, the CPA also signed an MoU with the Dredging Corporation of India. This agreement, estimated at ₹800 crore, will facilitate essential dredging for the ongoing maintenance of channels and basins within the Cochin port.
The remaining MoUs were secured with prominent entities such as Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Limited, Essar Ports, Greenix Experiences Private Limited, and Cisternina Logistics Pvt. Ltd. These diverse projects aim to develop an LNG bunkering facility, enhance cruise tourism infrastructure, and significantly augment overall port capacity.
Sources within the CPA indicate that the execution of these ambitious projects is set to commence swiftly, following the completion of necessary procedural steps. Notably, six of the 10 MoUs were signed with nominated public sector undertakings, exempting them from standard tender procedures. Formalities for initiating tender processes for the remaining projects are nearly complete and are expected to begin soon. While these MoUs are currently non-binding, the signatory entities are widely expected to secure the final deals through competitive bidding.