Kochi Port Name Confusion Causing Issues in International Shipping

The famous quote "What’s in a name?" by William Shakespeare in Romeo and Juliet suggests names don’t matter much. But for the shipping industry in Kochi, the name is important, especially because of confusion around the term "Cochin Port." This is causing problems in international shipping.

Even though the port was officially renamed “Kochi Port” in 1996 and is recognized as such on international maps, many documents, forms, and official communications still use “Cochin Port.”

Port officials have said that ship captains who don’t visit Kochi regularly are having trouble finding the port in their navigation guides because of the outdated name.

S.R. Kamath, president of the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry, explained that this mix-up is more than just a naming issue. It’s causing confusion for international shipping companies, trade partners, regulatory authorities, and others involved with the port. This inconsistency could harm the port’s reputation and affect smooth operations.

The Cochin Port Employees Organisation has also raised the issue, asking the port’s chairman to take action and officially rename the port to “Kochi Port Authority,” following the Major Port

Authorities Act of 2021. C.D. Nandakumar, the group’s general secretary, pointed out that "Cochin" is a leftover from colonial times, and other ports, like Bombay and Madras, were renamed to reflect their true identity as Mumbai and Chennai.

Kamath believes that using “Kochi Port” consistently would improve the port’s image and make communication smoother for everyone involved.