Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially inaugurated the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala, establishing India’s first dedicated deepwater transshipment port.
Developed at a cost of ₹8,900 crore under a public-private partnership model, the facility is expected to drastically reshape India’s logistics and shipping infrastructure while positioning the country as a formidable hub in global trade. Located just 10 nautical miles from the vital east-west international shipping lane in the Arabian Sea, the Vizhinjam Port boasts a natural draft of 18 to 20 metres—unmatched by any other Indian port. This geographic advantage eliminates the need for continuous dredging, thereby saving operational costs and preserving the marine ecosystem. It also allows the port to berth some of the world’s largest container vessels without structural modifications, a feat few global terminals can claim.
The port is operated by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), with the Kerala government holding a 61.5% stake, Adani Group at 28.9%, and the Union government at 9.6%. This ownership model has been hailed as a new-age approach that blends public accountability with private sector agility. The project aligns with the Union government’s “Viksit Bharat” vision, which prioritises infrastructure-led economic development and sustainability. The seaport is already operational at a scale of 1 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) per annum, and two additional phases are planned to scale that up by another 6.4 million TEUs. Earlier this year, Vizhinjam made headlines by docking MSC Türkiye—one of the largest container vessels globally—highlighting its readiness for large-scale global trade activity.
For decades, India has depended on foreign ports like Colombo, Singapore, and Jebel Ali for transshipment services, rerouting nearly 70% of its container traffic abroad. This reliance has translated to substantial financial outflows—up to $220 million annually—and increased logistical costs for Indian exporters by $80 to $100 per container. The Vizhinjam Port directly addresses these inefficiencies, promising faster cargo turnaround and substantial cost savings. The onshore connectivity adds another layer of operational strength. The port sits a mere 2 km from a national highway, 12 km from the main railway network, and 15 km from Trivandrum International Airport—ensuring robust multi-modal logistics support and seamless national distribution.
From a sustainability perspective, Vizhinjam represents an environmentally conscious development model. Its minimal reliance on dredging, low coastal erosion due to negligible littoral drift, and integration with AI-powered port management systems signal a shift towards greener port infrastructure. With India committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2070, the port stands as a model for low-impact, high-capacity maritime infrastructure. India is simultaneously progressing with two other strategic port developments—at Vadhvan in Maharashtra and on Great Nicobar Island—signalling a broader strategy to decentralise logistics and boost port-led industrial growth.
With Vizhinjam’s commissioning, India not only reclaims control over its maritime trade but also asserts its ambition to emerge as a dominant player in the global shipping economy. The port is not just infrastructure—it’s a statement of intent.
