Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala, marking a major step in putting the Southern State on the global maritime map. With its commissioning, Vizhinjam positions India as a new maritime gateway in South Asia, expected to rival major ports such as Colombo and Dubai.
Located in Thiruvananthapuram, the deep-sea Port is expected to significantly boost India’s presence in global shipping and trade routes.
The Port has been built by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), India’s biggest Port developer and part of the Adani Group, in partnership with the Government under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
“It is designed to accommodate large cargo ships, addressing a critical need. Until now, 75 percent of India’s transshipment activities were conducted at foreign Ports, resulting in significant revenue losses for the country.”
“However, this is poised to change. The funds previously spent abroad will now be channelled into domestic development, creating new economic opportunities for the people of Vizhinjam and Kerala, ensuring that the nation’s wealth directly benefits its citizens,” he said.
He said that the people of Gujarat will be disappointed with Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani for building such a huge Port in Kerala when he hails from the Western Indian state.
Its natural depth of nearly 20 metres and proximity to global shipping routes make it ideally suited for large container vessels. The Port has already demonstrated its operational abilities, with trial runs beginning in July 2024 and over 285 vessels docking before its formal inauguration. It is also the first semi-automated Port in the country and is equipped with an AI-powered vessel traffic management system developed in collaboration with IIT Madras.
