The potential and importance of Ponnani, the oldest historical port of Malabar Coast, and its role in making way to North Kerala is something which the Government of Kerala was well aware of from the past decades itself. Government of Kerala in 2011 had proposed to develop Ponnani Port under PPP method and M/s Malabar Port Pvt. Ltd. (MPPL) was appointed as the developer for the same. MPPL prepared the master plan for the project after detailed studies and had received administrative and technical sanctions and environmental clearance from the government. But the project did not progress as envisaged.

The only existing infrastructure at Ponnani Port includes a Port office and an old wharf which is inoperable. There are also two breakwaters at the mouth of the Bharathappuzha River built for navigation of fishing vessels to the Ponnani Fishery Harbour. The Ponnani Port infrastructure needs to be improved to tap the full potential of the region. The port has the potential to expand its services to cater to cruise ships, given its strategic location and tourist attractions in the region.

Ponnani Port is among the five non-major ports, which the Government of Kerala has proposed to develop. Government has mooted a multipurpose mini port at Ponnani which could handle break-bulk cargo, cruise ships and passengers in a limited way. The initiative by Kerala Maritime Board to construct a new berthing facility in Ponnani Port to accommodate cruise ships and break-bulk cargo will be an important step in this direction.