Adani Ports has launched its much-anticipated Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport in Kerala, marking a new chapter in India’s maritime infrastructure.
With the operational phase now complete, the port is positioned to serve as India’s first dedicated container transshipment facility. The initial phase boasts a capacity of 1.2 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), with the second phase set to increase this to 5 million TEUs by 2028. The port’s natural depth of 20 meters and its strategic location near key global shipping lanes make it a crucial asset for India’s growing role in global trade.Karan Adani, Managing Director of Adani Ports and SEZ, emphasized the broader strategic importance of the project, stating that it is designed to drastically reduce logistics costs for Indian importers and exporters.
“Our aim is to make Vizhinjam one of the most efficient ports not only in India but globally, helping to significantly reduce the logistics costs for Indian businesses,” he noted. The vision is to bring down logistics costs by at least 25–30%, a move that would position India as a central hub for transshipment, reducing reliance on foreign ports.The successful completion of the port’s initial phase marks the culmination of years of hard work, during which the project overcame multiple challenges. The construction faced natural calamities, including cyclones, as well as logistical hurdles such as the transportation of 7 million tons of rocks to build the deepwater harbor.
Additionally, the project was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and local disruptions, but Karan Adani credited the team’s resilience, the support from the Kerala state government, and the people of Trivandrum for the successful execution of the project.Looking beyond the port’s immediate capabilities, Adani sees Vizhinjam as a key enabler of India’s future trade growth. Despite global uncertainties in the trade environment, Karan remains optimistic about India’s growth trajectory, particularly in the maritime sector. “While there is global uncertainty, we believe trade in South Asia will continue to grow, and India’s ports will play a vital role in driving that growth,
The strategic significance of Vizhinjam is not limited to Indian trade. Karan Adani also highlighted the importance of the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC), which provides an alternate route for trade, reducing reliance on the Suez Canal. This corridor, along with Adani Ports’ operations at Haifa Port, is expected to drive diversification in global trade routes. By reducing reliance on traditional chokepoints, such as the Suez Canal, Adani aims to create a more resilient and efficient global shipping network.In addition to its focus on India, Adani Ports is eyeing regional expansion, particularly in Southeast Asia, to bolster its position in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. The company’s vision is to further enhance its global presence by acquiring port assets that will enable smoother connections between the Middle East, Europe, and South Asia.
The launch of Vizhinjam Port signals a new era of growth for Adani Ports, reinforcing its commitment to cutting-edge maritime infrastructure and contributing to India’s broader economic ambitions. As the port evolves and expands, it is set to play a key role in reshaping the global logistics and trade landscape, with India at its heart.
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