Vizhinjam Port Inaugurated: What Makes It India’s Maritime Trump Card

May 02, 2025 Komal Das

PM Modi inaugurated the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala, India’s first deepwater transshipment port, built at ₹8,900 crore

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Located in Thiruvananthapuram, the port operates under a public-private partnership, managed by Adani Ports, with Kerala retaining the majority share

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The port reduces dependence on foreign transshipment hubs like Colombo and Singapore, saving India up to \$220 million annually in shipping costs

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Vizhinjam’s natural depth of 18–20 meters allow docking of massive vessels, like MSC Trkiye, without dredging, making it highly cost-efficient

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Strategically located 10 nautical miles from a busy global shipping route, it ensures smooth cargo movement with excellent connectivity to highways, rail, and air

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The port currently handles one million containers annually, with plans to expand capacity by an additional 6.4 million containers in future phases

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Kerala holds 61.5% ownership, Adani Group owns 28.9%, and the central government retains 9.6%, reflecting a cooperative development model

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Vizhinjam boosts India’s maritime trade, reducing costs, enhancing global competitiveness, and marking a significant step towards shipping independence

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