India’s first semi-automated container port, the Vizhinjam International Seaport, celebrated the arrival of its inaugural mothership, ‘San Fernando’, on Thursday. Kerala’s Minister of Ports V N Vasavan and Minister for Food and Civil Supplies G R Anil, alongside other officials, welcomed the vessel carrying over 1,000 containers, marking a trial run before full commercial operations commence.
Built at a cost of Rs 8,867 crore, the port is a collaboration between the Kerala state government, which contributed Rs 5,595 crore, and the central government, which provided Rs 818 crore. Construction, undertaken by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), began in 2016 under a public-private partnership agreement signed in 2015.
Expressing joy over the historic moment, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan took to social media, stating, “This Friday (July 12), the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Thiruvananthapuram will host a grand celebration to welcome its first mothership, San Fernando, a Maersk Line Vessel.” He praised Adani Group for their role, highlighting the port as a model of successful collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Last October, Karan Adani, CEO of APSEZ, had announced the port’s capability to handle some of the world’s largest container ships and its potential to become a global bunkering hub for green fuels like hydrogen and ammonia. Despite significant challenges, including natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, the port has been completed and is set to significantly benefit Kerala’s economy by creating over 5,000 direct jobs and boosting industries, commerce, transportation, and tourism sectors.