T’puram: The MoU signed by Adani Ports and Port of Marseille Fos in France is set to benefit Vizhinjam port, as it will route containers between Europe and Indian ports via the Middle East. It will also help the port here to improve handling through innovations. An official said that the agreement will be potentially beneficial in the future. Vizhinjam port has already emerged as a gateway for cargo from Europe.The MoU signed proposes the creation of an IMEC Ports Club to strengthen coordination among key ports along the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) route, reinforcing connectivity between India and the European Union. This completes IMEC pathway for India-EU trade, which was boosted by FTA between India and the EU, said an official statement. IMEC is a 6,000-km multimodal connectivity initiative linking India and Europe through integrated maritime routes, rail networks, digital systems, and clean-energy pathways. Vizhinjam is already getting containers from Europe and Africa because of its location en route to south-east Asia and China. The partnership will focus on promoting the IMEC route as a sustainable, secure, and competitive alternative for Eurasian trade flows, including joint campaigns, participation in international trade fairs and roadshows, and targeted B2B engagements.It will also focus on technical exchange and capacity building in port digitalization, smart-port platforms, data interoperability, cyber security, alternative fuels, shore power supply and low-carbon bunkering. The MoU was signed between India and France during the French president’s visit.
