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The Vizhinjam International Seaport successful Kerala has achieved different milestone by handling 20 lakh TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo successful conscionable 18 months, astir doubly its yearly capacity.
The larboard is expected to committee its archetypal 400-metre berth of the full 1.2 km berth enlargement conceived arsenic portion of its 2nd signifier of expansion, adjacent year, which volition alteration it to accommodate much vessel calls and grip higher cargo volumes
The seaport, developed and operated by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. (APSEZ) for the Kerala authorities has besides go the archetypal Indian larboard to execute the fete successful the grounds time. The port’s accomplishment besides comes astatine a clip erstwhile shipping operators and planetary economies are progressively prioritising resilient maritime infrastructure and diversified commercialized routes amid evolving geopolitical uncertainties crossed West Asia and cardinal planetary shipping corridors.
Also, Vizhinjam’s strategical determination on the Indian Ocean corridor is emerging arsenic a captious vantage for shipping lines seeking way stability, operational ratio and faster cargo movement, astatine a clip erstwhile planetary shipping routes are progressively being shaped by geopolitical tensions, supply-chain disruptions and the ongoing struggle successful West Asia.
According to larboard authorities, since commencing operations, Vizhinjam has handled implicit 950 vessels, including 67 Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs), each measuring astir 400 metres successful length. The larboard has besides berthed immoderate of the world’s astir iconic instrumentality vessels, including MSC Irina, recognised arsenic the world’s largest instrumentality ship, and MSC Verona, among the deepest-draft instrumentality vessels to telephone astatine an Indian port. The quality to berth and work next-generation instrumentality vessels positions Vizhinjam among a prime radical of ports globally susceptible of handling large-scale transshipment postulation with precocious operational efficiency.
Located conscionable 10 nautical miles from the planetary east-west shipping route, Vizhinjam offers a important geographic vantage for planetary commercialized question betwixt Asia, the West Asia, Europe and Africa. Its earthy heavy draught of astir 20 metres enables ample vessels to dock without extended superior dredging, improving operational ratio and reducing turnaround time.
Vizhinjam besides offers regular shipping services connecting South Asia, Europe, Africa and South America, enabling faster instrumentality question and strengthening India’s presumption successful planetary maritime commercialized networks. The port’s proximity to cardinal planetary shipping lanes enables shipping lines to prevention some transit clip and substance costs, strengthening Vizhinjam’s competitiveness arsenic a preferred transshipment destination successful the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Phase 2 expansion
Phase 2 enlargement of the larboard is presently underway with an concern of astir ₹16,000 crore and is expected to beryllium completed by 2028.
The enlargement is expected to importantly heighten the port’s instrumentality handling capableness and enactment the commencement of full-scale export-import (EXIM) operations. The larboard commenced proceedings operations successful July 2024 and was dedicated to the federation successful May 2025.
