Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 02 May 2025 inaugurated the Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
KEY POINTS ON VIZHINJAM PORT :
- This is India’s first dedicated transshipment hub. Developed in PPP model with Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd., the port aims to reduce India’s reliance on foreign ports for container handling.
- Built at an estimated cost of ₹8,867 crore, it will rival international ports like Colombo and Dubai.
- The port is strategically located at just 10 nautical miles from key international shipping route and positions India as a major player in global maritime trade.
- With a natural depth of nearly 20 meters, Vizhinjam can accommodate large container vessels, rivaling ports like Colombo and Dubai.
- Kerala’s government contributed two-thirds of the total cost, including funding for the 2.95 km breakwater.
- The port features a container ship berth of 1,800 meters and an annual handling capacity of 1.5 million TEUs in its first phase. ( 3 million TEUs in 2nd phase by 2028 )
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hailed the project as a transformative investment, emphasizing its role in reshaping India’s maritime trade landscape.