Modi set to launch Rs 8,900-crore Vizhinjam Port in Kerala the next day.
Thiruvananthapuram's Big Splash: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the groundbreaking 'Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport' on May 2, worth a whopping Rs 8,900 crore. This seaport, marking a significant leap in India's maritime sector, is the country's first dedicated container transhipment port, embodying the vision of a Developing India (Viksit Bharat).
Situated strategically, Vizhinjam Port has been identified as a crucial project that bolsters India's standing in global trade, boosts logistics efficiency, and lessens dependence on foreign ports for cargo handling. Its natural deep draft of nearly 20 meters and location near some of the world's busiest sea trade routes makes it a powerful player in global commerce.
Addressing the media ahead of the commissioning, Kerala Ports Minister VN Vasavan confirmed the list of dignitaries attending the inaugural ceremony on May 2 at 11:00 AM. The guest list includes PM Modi, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, and Union Ministers Suresh Gopi and George Kurian, among others.
Minister Vasavan highlighted the impressive operational achievements of the port ahead of the commissioning. The port, which started its trial run in July 2024, surpassed expectations with 285 ships arriving and handling 593,000 TEUs. In fact, the port has already outperformed many international ports, with MSC ships previously not docked in Dubai or Colombo now docking in Vizhinjam.
With a capacity to handle up to 30 lakh TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) annually, and the possibility of managing 45 lakh TEUs with optimized operations, Vizhinjam aims to rival leading global hubs like Dubai and Colombo, decreasing India's transshipment costs by 30-40%.
Conceived to tackle India's reliance on foreign transshipment hubs, this port is a significant public-private partnership led by Adani Ports. Overcoming environmental and logistical hurdles, trial operations began in July 2024, with formal commissioning following on December 3, 2024. This transformative maritime infrastructure project is poised to become the backbone of India's transshipment network, integrating strategic location, advanced engineering, and operational prowess.
- The Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport, set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is identified as a crucial project enhancing India's standing in global trade and lessening dependence on foreign ports.
- With the country's first dedicated container transhipment port embodying the vision of a Developing India (Viksit Bharat), Vizhinjam Port, strategically situated and boasting a natural deep draft, is agreeing to become a powerful player in global commerce, near some of the world's busiest sea trade routes.
- As the port surpassed expectations with 285 ships arriving and handling 593,000 TEUs during its trial run, it has already outperformed many international ports, attracting MSC ships previously not docked in Dubai or Colombo to Vizhinjam.
- The port, a significant public-private partnership led by Adani Ports, aims to rival leading global hubs like Dubai and Colombo, decreasing India's transshipment costs by 30-40%, with a capacity to handle up to 30 lakh TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) annually, and the possibility of managing 45 lakh TEUs with optimized operations.
