Vizhinjam Port Sets Sail: India’s Gateway to Global Trade
Newzdaddy Business Updates
Synopsis in Bullet Points:
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Date & Event: On May 2, 2025, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India dedicated the Vizhinjam International Seaport to the nation.
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Location: Vizhinjam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
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History: The vision for the port began in 1991 but saw multiple failed attempts before a breakthrough in 2015.
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Public-Private Partnership: Kerala government signed an agreement with Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd in 2015 under the PPP model.
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Challenges Faced:
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Cyclone Ockhi (2017)
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Material shortages
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Coastal erosion-related protests
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COVID-19 pandemic disruptions
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Milestones:
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Trial operations started in July 2024.
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Welcomed ultra-large container ships like MSC Claude Girarde and MSC Türkiye.
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Over 280 vessels and 6 lakh TEUs handled.
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Strategic Importance:
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Located just 10 nautical miles from the major international shipping route.
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Aims to reduce India’s dependence on foreign ports like Colombo, Singapore, and Dubai.
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Economic Impact:
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Expected to cut logistics costs by 30-40%.
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Estimated investment of ₹4,500 crore already made; ₹20,000 crore more planned.
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Potential to generate 5,000+ jobs.
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Tech Edge: India’s first automated port with AI-powered traffic management and the tallest ship-to-shore cranes.
India marked a proud moment in its maritime journey as the Hon’ble Prime Minister officially dedicated the Vizhinjam International Seaport to the nation. The grand event held in Vizhinjam, near Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, celebrated the successful birth of a port that was once only a dream, delayed for decades by challenges, yet now stands tall as a global maritime gateway.
The idea to build a deep-sea port at Vizhinjam was first proposed in 1991. Despite being strategically located just 10 nautical miles from the vital international shipping lane, the project was stalled due to legal issues, a lack of investors, and concerns over coastal security. After failed attempts in 1995, 2004, 2008, and 2010, the project finally gained momentum in 2015.
In August of that year, the Government of Kerala signed a crucial agreement with Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd (APSEZ) under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The 40-year concession allowed the Adani Group to build, operate, and manage the port, with the possibility of a 20-year extension. This partnership marked a turning point in India’s port infrastructure.
Bringing Vizhinjam Port to life was no easy task. The project had its fair share of roadblocks:
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Cyclone Ockhi in 2017 dealt a heavy blow, damaging the under-construction breakwater.
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There was a scarcity of key materials like limestone, essential for construction.
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Protests by coastal communities worried about erosion and loss of livelihood created further hurdles.
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The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted labor availability and global supply chains.
Yet, the Adani Group continued its work with determination, patience, and resilience. These challenges became stepping stones toward a historic achievement.
Trial operations at the port began in July 2024 with the arrival of its first mothership, San Fernando. Since then, the port has welcomed massive vessels like MSC Claude Girarde and MSC Türkiye—some of the largest container ships in the world. To date, it has handled over 280 vessels and 6 lakh TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units).
What makes Vizhinjam truly special is its natural deep draft of 18 meters, which allows even ultra-large container ships requiring 20 m+ drafts to dock without any major dredging, saving cost and time.
It is also India’s first fully automated port, equipped with:
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AI-powered vessel traffic management systems
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Tallest ship-to-shore cranes in the country
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Smart port operations are making it a model for the future.
The port’s proximity to the international east–west shipping route gives it a major advantage. This location will help reduce India’s dependence on transshipment hubs like Colombo, Singapore, and Dubai.
The economic benefits are equally exciting. Experts say the port could cut logistics costs by 30-40% for Indian exporters and manufacturers. This will boost India’s competitiveness in the global market.
The port is also expected to generate over 5,000 direct and indirect jobs, significantly contributing to Kerala’s local economy.
So far, the Adani Group has invested over ₹4,500 crore in the project. In the next phase, it plans to invest another ₹20,000 crore to expand capacity to 5 million TEUs by 2028. This will include more advanced technologies, new berths, and stronger connectivity to industrial corridors across India.
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