The Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Kottayam (Kottayam Port) has agreed to work with the Kuwait based Azimar Shipping & Logistics LLP in container movement and setting up a modern consolidated cargo warehouse in Kottayam, Kerala. Mr.Abraham Varghese, Managing Director of Kottayam Port, and

Managing Partner of Azimar Group Mr.Anit Peter, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in this regard at a function held in the presence of Industries Minister Mr P. Rajeeve and Cooperation and Registrations Minister Mr V. N. Vasavan in Thiruvananthapuram on 29^th Nov 2021. As per the MoU, Azimar Group will invest in building a new barges with capacity to carry 30 TEUs, as per a report.

Mr.Roopesh Kumar, General Manager, Kottayam Port, said, “At present, they have more than 400 units of container transactions per month. With the arrival of Azimar, we expect that to cross 600 units in the beginning and touch 1,000 units later.”

Presently, the ICD runs its operations using a barge with capacity of 10 TEU. The new barge is expected to be operational in six months. The ICD authorities expect the procedural formalities to elevate the dry port into a minor Customs port, which will give a major boost to inland water movement of cargo.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Vasavan said the logistics sector in the State would receive a major boost with the full-scale movement of cargo through Kottayam Port. Mr P. Rajeeve said the arrival of more foreign investments to the State would encourage the ‘work from Kerala’ initiative, the report added.

Azimar Group Managing Partner Mr.Anit Peter said that the group is planning invest 50 Cr in the coming financial year for its expansion in India.