The part of Kochi in India was the first part in India to receive containers. There are plans to develop a container transhipment centre on Vallarpadam Island at Kochi. The Kochi Port Trust is likely to go for a combined tender, linking the Vallarpodam plan with the Rajiv Gandhi Container Terminal. An alternative option is the development of the port of Tuticorin. Political indecision and the additudes of ocean carriers are discussed.