Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 29 : Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan has announced that the state government’s Mission Samudra coastal economy development project aims to create more than one lakh jobs by 2031. The five-year initiative seeks to transform Kerala’s maritime economy by connecting major and minor ports and strengthening port-related industries, fisheries, tourism and logistics.
Speaking in the Assembly on Thursday, Satheesan said the government had allocated Rs 400 crore for Mission Samudra in the 2026-27 financial year. He clarified that the project goes beyond fisheries development and focuses on the overall growth of Kerala’s coastal economy.
Mission Samudra to Boost Kerala’s Maritime Economy
The project aims to develop the Vizhinjam International Port and other minor ports in Kerala into key centres of economic activity. It also focuses on improving road, rail and waterway connectivity, developing logistics parks, establishing maritime clusters and promoting port-linked cities.
According to the Chief Minister, Mission Samudra is designed to generate employment opportunities in port operations, coastal shipping, inland waterways, marine engineering, seafood processing and exports.
The initiative also aims to strengthen logistics infrastructure, including multimodal logistics parks, free trade warehousing zones, inland container depots, container freight stations, warehouses and cold-chain facilities.
Seafood Exports and Marine Processing to Get a Boost
As part of the Maritime Cluster Development Programme, the government plans to establish a Marine Export Zone, a Seafood Park, a Coastal Aquaculture Cluster and a Marine Food Processing Cluster.
The Fisheries Department will be responsible for implementing these initiatives. Aroor has also been identified for development as a seafood hub, with priority given to seafood exports and aquaculture.
The government also plans to promote shipbuilding and repair, marine engineering, bunkering and green fuels to expand Kerala’s maritime industries and create new employment opportunities.
Skill Development for Coastal Youth and Women
Mission Samudra places special emphasis on skill development and employment opportunities for coastal youth and fishing communities. The government plans to establish coastal community livelihood zones in port areas, incorporating fishing infrastructure, community enterprises and skill development centres.
An Innovation and Skills Zone is also proposed to support training and education. The planned Centre for Logistics Excellence and Maritime Innovation will provide training in logistics, smart port operations and green shipping.
The government will explore partnerships with Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), polytechnics and educational institutions to provide industry-relevant training.
Diploma courses in collaboration with the Kerala Academy for Skills Excellence (KASE), Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) and Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) will also be examined.
Special Training Programmes for Fisherwomen
The state government is considering special skill development programmes for fisherwomen through Kudumbashree and other institutions. Training may cover seafood value addition, packaging, marketing and online sales.
Skill development centres are proposed in Alappuzha, Aroor and Mararikulam. The government will also examine apprenticeship opportunities in Matsyafed and the Fisheries and Tourism departments.
The Society for Assistance to Fisherwomen (SAF) and Kudumbashree may help organise training programmes for fisherwomen at the panchayat level.
Social Security Measures for Coastal Communities
The Chief Minister said the project includes measures to protect the livelihoods of fishermen and coastal workers affected by development activities. These provisions include local skill development, transition assistance and benefit-sharing mechanisms.
The government has also announced plans to consider reservation for coastal youth in projects implemented under Mission Samudra.
Satheesan said the relevant departments would examine these proposals and explore ways to integrate them with existing government schemes.
Mission Samudra Targets Long-Term Employment Growth
The government expects Mission Samudra to create jobs across port and terminal operations, logistics, seafood processing, marine exports, shipping and tourism.
The initiative aims to combine infrastructure development with workforce training to ensure that coastal communities benefit from Kerala’s expanding maritime economy.
With a proposed investment allocation of Rs 400 crore for 2026-27 and a target of more than one lakh jobs by 2031, Mission Samudra is expected to play a significant role in Kerala’s coastal economic development.
