DP World launched operations at Cochin Economic Zone in the Vallarpadam terminal, according to a statement released last week. The hub represents Kerala’s first freetrade warehousing zone (FTWZ) and DP World’s third India-based economic zone. No details regarding the investment ticket were disclosed.

Strategic placement: The 75k sqft facility lies some 35 km from the airport and situated close to key national highways connecting to Mumbai and other trade hubs in addition to adjoining railway links. It also provides 67-value added services connecting ports to the wider supply chain through multimodal connectivity.

A boon for India’s trading activities: The facility is set to benefit local export and import-oriented businesses as well as multinationals trading in India, with the hub’s status under India’s SEZ Act offering regulatory advantages such as expediting re-exports and permitting firms to set up shop without having a registered entity in India. Firms can also leverage duty-free deferment for imports, the statement explained. Companies at the zone can also leverage synergies and connectivity farther afield via DP World’s Dubai-based Jebel Ali Freezone (JAFZA), the statement also said.

Background: DP World and Cochin Port Authority signed two MoUs for the development at Cochin Port last year. The first agreement set the stage for phase one of developments for a FTWZ, while the second covered upgrades to cargo handling at the port’s International Container Transshipment Terminal.

Not DP’s first rodeo in India: Cochin Economic Zone is DP World’s third India-based economic zone. The Dubai-based port operator operates two more economic zones in the country, Mumbai’s 1 mn sqf Nhava Sheva Business Park (NSBP), and Chennai’s 600k sqf Integrated Chennai Business Park (ICBP), the statement explained.

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