Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday opened the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala, India’s first full-fledged deepwater transshipment port. Built at an estimated expense of ₹8,900 crore under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, the port is likely to substantially reduce the cost of sea cargo, curb foreign port dependence, and increase India’s position in global maritime trade.
The port is situated in the city of Thiruvananthapuram and is currently run by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) with the major share being retained by the state government of Kerala. It commenced limited operations after July 2023, berthing close to 250 containers so far. Commercial commissioning of the project was done on December 4, 2024.
#WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation ‘Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport’ worth Rs 8,900 crore
CM Pinarayi Vijayan and Adani Group Chairperson Gautam Adani were also present
This ambitious project of the… pic.twitter.com/R5Ndo1HmZT
— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2025
A Strategic Step for Shipping and Trade
Vizhinjam port is to serve as a transshipment center—where goods are off-loaded from one vessel and transferred to another before they are shipped to their ultimate destination. This is significant for nations that are highly engaged in global commerce. India had no such port until now, so almost 75% of its transshipment shipments had to pass through ports such as Colombo (Sri Lanka), Singapore, and Jebel Ali (UAE).
This external dependence placed both time and cost pressures upon Indian importers and exporters. It was making it cost traders between $80 and $100 per container, leading to an annual national loss of between $200 million and $220 million. Vizhinjam will bridge this gap by facilitating domestic transshipment, thus increasing trade efficiency and resilience.
Massive Vessels and Natural Advantages
It was Vizhinjam in April 2024 that became the first Indian port to berth the gargantuan ship MSC Trkiye, with a carrying capacity of over 24,000 containers. This is testimony to the inherent strength of Vizhinjam—it has a sea depth of 18 to 20 metres, just one kilometre away from the shore, and this allows huge ships to be docked without spending on dredging.
“Today’s event is going to deprive many people of their sleep,” PM Modi stated, addressing a crowd that included Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. “I would like to tell the Chief Minister, you are a strong pillar of the INDI alliance, Shashi Tharoor is sitting there too,” he said with a smile.
Location, Connectivity, and Cost Efficiency
Strategically positioned on the Arabian Sea, Vizhinjam is only 10 nautical miles off one of the world’s busiest shipping routes. The site of the port means it will be able to capture a high amount of international cargo. In addition, it experiences little problem from sand drift, a problem for most Indian ports that adds to operational expenses and necessitates continual upkeep.
The port is also well linked: it’s only 2 km from a national highway, 12 km from a broad-gauge railway line, and 15 km from the Trivandrum International Airport. The proximity will provide hassle-free movement of goods within the country.
Scaling Up India’s Maritime Infrastructure
Today, Vizhinjam is capable of accommodating one million containers a year. In subsequent development stages, capacity will increase by another 6.4 million containers. The ownership pattern is a robust cooperative model with the Kerala government retaining 61.5%, Adani Group 28.9%, and the central government 9.6%.
This development is part of a larger maritime growth strategy. India is also building a deepwater port in Vadhvan in Maharashtra, where work was initiated in August 2024. Another large port is proposed for Great Nicobar Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, but it is pending crucial approvals.
India has 13 major ports and 217 minor or private ports currently in operation. Among these, Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Navi Mumbai, and the Mundra Port are the biggest, each having more than 7 million containers per year.
Decreasing Costs and Global Competitiveness
The natural deep draft and strategic position of Vizhinjam are likely to reduce long-term operating costs, making Indian exports competitive in the international market. It will also minimize risks due to geopolitical tensions that may affect foreign ports.
With Vizhinjam coming on stream, India makes a big leap towards shipping independence and economic effectiveness. The port is an icon of the country’s maritime future, turning around, assuring smoother trade, reduced costs, and better logistics for years to come.
