Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, received the first Mother Ship, ‘MV San Fernando’, at Vizhinjam Port in Kerala. This event signifies the commencement of operations at India’s first deep water container transhipment port. With a capacity of up to 9000 TEUs, the arrival of this vessel marks India’s foray into next-generation world-class port infrastructure.
Sonowal, along with the Chief Minister of Kerala, marked this historic occasion, highlighting the strategic importance of Vizhinjam Port. The port is equipped with state-of-the-art automation, enabling quick turnaround of vessels and the capacity to handle mega-max containerships. Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal emphasised the significance of this milestone, stating, “Today is a historic day for the maritime sector of India as the maiden Mother Ship docks at Vizhinjam. This achievement is a testament to the ‘Make in India’ vision and the collaborative efforts of the Kerala Government, the Government of India, and the Adani Port SEZ.”
He further added that under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister, India is equipping itself with world-class port infrastructure. This accomplishment is a step towards realising the Prime Minister’s vision of developing top-tier port facilities. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways is also working towards the execution of mega port projects, including the All-Weather Deep Draft Port at Vadhavan in Maharashtra and the International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) at Galathea Bay.
Vizhinjam Port, a strategic maritime project near Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, is India’s first Greenfield port project initiated by a state government with an investment exceeding ₹18,000 crores. Developed under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode, it stands as one of the largest initiatives in the country’s port sector. Its strategic location near international shipping routes significantly reduces transit times for vessels, making it a pivotal point for maritime trade. As one of India’s few natural deep-water ports, Vizhinjam can efficiently accommodate large cargo and container ships.
The port’s development is expected to significantly boost Kerala’s economic growth by creating jobs, enhancing trade, and attracting investments. Ongoing infrastructure projects aim to equip the port with state-of-the-art facilities, including modern container terminals, warehouses, and logistics parks. Vizhinjam is poised to become a key player in regional trade, potentially serving as a gateway for commerce between Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Sonowal also highlighted the broader impact of this development, stating, “With the operationalisation of Vizhinjam port, India is poised to reap the opportunities it creates in the region, bringing healthy competition to Colombo and Singapore transhipment hubs. The government remains committed to enabling and equipping India’s maritime sector, with projects worth more than ₹24,000 crores being implemented in Kerala under the Sagarmala project.”
