Guide
About Kochi
Kochi is the main commercial and port city of Kerala and lies in Ernakulam district. At the 2011 census the Kochi urban agglomeration, the largest in Kerala, had 2,119,724 residents. The city corporation itself is smaller, and figures for it vary between sources because of boundary changes.
The city's economy is built around the sea. Cochin Shipyard is one of India's largest shipbuilding yards, the International Container Transshipment Terminal at Vallarpadam is the country's largest container transshipment facility, and seafood and spice exporters have long been based here. Kochi has also developed a significant IT sector at Kakkanad.
Economy and main industries
Port and maritime industries are central to Kochi's economy. Cochin Shipyard, incorporated in 1972 as a wholly government-owned company, is one of the largest shipbuilding facilities in India and builds vessels for the Indian Navy as well as commercial customers. The International Container Transshipment Terminal at Vallarpadam is described as India's largest container transshipment facility and its first to operate within a special economic zone. It is linked to the rail network by the 4.62 km Vembanad rail bridge.
Information technology is the fastest-growing sector. Infopark at Kakkanad houses 582 companies employing more than 72,000 people, and its IT exports exceeded Rs 11,400 crore in 2023–24. SmartCity Kochi, also at Kakkanad, and the Cochin Special Economic Zone add further capacity.
Seafood processing and spice exports remain important, along with tourism, trade and services.
Main business areas and markets
Kakkanad is the main IT district, with Infopark, SmartCity and the Cochin SEZ. It has attracted offices, coworking spaces, hotels and residential development.
Vallarpadam, with the container terminal, and the wider port area hold shipping lines, freight forwarders, customs brokers and container yards. Puthuvype in Vypin is the location of a further special economic zone.
Cochin Shipyard and the surrounding port area support a network of marine engineers, fabricators, equipment suppliers and service contractors.
Port and logistics
Because of its transshipment terminal, Kochi is a base for logistics services covering Kerala and neighbouring states. Exporters of seafood, spices and other goods use local freight forwarders and customs brokers, and container freight stations and cold storage operators cluster near the port. Buyers looking for shipping or clearing services usually find the widest choice in the port and Vallarpadam areas.
Finding businesses in Kochi
Common searches in Kochi include IT and software companies at Kakkanad, freight forwarders and customs brokers, marine engineering firms, seafood and spice exporters, hotels and tour operators, and hospitals. IndiaYP lists Kochi businesses by category and locality.
Frequently asked questions
What is the STD code for Kochi?
Kochi and Ernakulam landlines use the STD code 0484. From abroad, dial +91 484 before the number.
Where is Infopark Kochi?
Infopark is at Kakkanad, alongside SmartCity and the Cochin SEZ.
What is the Vallarpadam terminal?
It is the International Container Transshipment Terminal, India's first transshipment facility within a special economic zone, linked by the Vembanad rail bridge.