| The Port of Kochi (Cochin) is a major seaport on the southwestern coast of India on the Arabian Sea. Until flooding waters separated Kochi from the mainland in 1341, making it an island, it was a small fishing village. Port History The Port of Kochi was a center for India's spice trade for centuries. Greeks, Romans, Jews, Arabs, and Chinese traded with the ancient village. The earliest references to Kochi were contained in accounts by Chinese and Italian travelers in the 15th Century. The Kingdom of Kochi was born in 1102, and its King reigned over the region. Though the Cochin Royal Family ruled over the region for centuries, it was under European rule for much of that time, having status in name only. The first European settlement in India started here in 1500, and the Portuguese viceroy built the first European fort in 1503. The Portuguese held the city until 1663 when it was conquered by the Dutch. The Port of Kochi experienced much prosperity under Dutch rule through 1795, being a major trade center for spices and coconut products. In this majority Hindu city, Muslims, Christians, and Jews also benefited from the port's prosperity. The United Kingdom ruled the Port of Kochi from 1795 until India's independence in 1947. In the early 20th Century, the modern port was built, and Willingdon Island was created to connect Cochin to other townships by road, bridge, and rail. After independence, it was also the major training center for India's Navy. Cochin was the first Indian state to willingly join the Indian Union. The State of Kerala was created by the Indian government in 1956, and the municipal corporation was formed in 1967. Since 2000, the economy has been boosted by a growing service sector. Information technology has led to the creation of industrial parks. Improvements in the Port of Kochi's infrastructure created a building boom. Port Commerce Today, the Port of Kochi is a fast-growing ocean gateway to mainland India. Its location is convenient to European and Far East trade routes. The Cochin Port Trust manages the assets of the port and is responsible for economic development and environmental protection. The storage facility in the Port of Kochi covers over 56.6 thousand square meters of covered space and almost over 100 thousand square meters of open area. The Container Freight Station contains over 10 thousand square meters, and the Dry Dock is over 61 meters long at a depth of 12.5 meters. In 2006, the Port of Kochi handled over 15 million tons of cargo. Imports of 11.8 million tons included 196 thousand tons of break bulk, 1.4 million tons of dry bulk, and 8.7 million tons of liquid bulk. Exports of 3.5 million tons included 20 thousand tons of break bulk, 26 thousand tons of dry bulk, 2 million tons of liquid bulk, and 3.5 million tons of containerized cargo (about 2 million TEUs). Cruising and Travel In a beautiful setting of lagoons and backwaters, the Port of Kochi is visited by many tourists. The 1510 St. Francis Church is the first European church in India, and it was the burial site for Vasco de Gama until 1539. The city contains a diverse collection of Hindu temples, mosques, synagogues, and churches. Due to the dense forests surrounding the area, the Port of Kochi has been protected from invasion from mainland India. Centuries of contact with foreign peoples has made the city a fascinating blend of cultures and a cosmopolitan center. Visitors can find information about the City of Kochi on the Destination Kochi/Cochin website. |
