Keralam has an opportunity to emerge as a major global trading and industrial hub by leveraging the strategic advantages of Vizhinjam International Seaport. However, realising this potential will require the state to look beyond conventional port operations and develop an integrated ecosystem of trade, manufacturing, logistics and services.
According to Pradeep Jayaraman, CEO of Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Limited, Vizhinjam should not limit its ambitions to competing with Indian ports such as Thoothukudi and Chennai. Instead, it should aim to compete with established global maritime and commercial centres such as Singapore, Dubai and Hong Kong.
The world's leading commercial cities have built their economic strength around international trade, and Keralam now has a similar opportunity to accelerate its growth.
Singapore offers a compelling example of how port-led development can transform an economy. In 2025, the city-state handled 44.7 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of container cargo despite having a population of just 6.11 million.
Singapore has developed into a global centre for port operations, bunkering, maritime innovation, finance and international trade. Its maritime fuel sales reached 56.77 million tonnes in 2025, demonstrating the scale of economic activity generated by services associated with shipping.
Dubai has adopted a similar model, combining port infrastructure with industrial development, free trade zones and international commerce. Jebel Ali Port handles around 15.6 million TEUs of container cargo, while transportation and storage contribute approximately 11.5% of Dubai's GDP.
Hong Kong, another major international trading centre, handles more than 14 million TEUs, supported by a strong ecosystem of maritime trade, financial services and other commercial activities.
In comparison, Kochi and Vizhinjam together handle around 2.1 million TEUs, with Vizhinjam accounting for approximately 1.3 million TEUs. The comparison highlights the scale of the opportunity available to Kerala if it can develop industries and services around its ports.
Vizhinjam enjoys several geographical and technological advantages that distinguish it from many other Indian ports. The port has a natural water depth of 18–20 metres and faces fewer tidal restrictions, allowing even ultra-large container vessels to berth around the clock.
Another major advantage is its proximity to international shipping routes. Vizhinjam is located just 10 nautical miles from a major international shipping channel, making it attractive to shipping companies seeking to minimise vessel diversions.
Commercial operations at the port began in December 2024, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally dedicated the facility to the nation on May 2, 2025. Export-import (EXIM) operations commenced in August 2026, expanding the port's role beyond container transshipment.
With the second phase of development progressing, Vizhinjam's container-handling capacity is expected to increase to 5.7 million TEUs within the next two to two-and-a-half years.
Jayaraman expects the expansion to happen rapidly rather than over a period of five or ten years.
The port is also exploring opportunities in bunkering and crew-change services, which could create additional revenue streams beyond conventional container handling.
One of Vizhinjam's biggest potential contributions to Keralam's economy lies in facilitating global manufacturing and export-oriented industries. Businesses could import raw materials from international markets, store them in modern warehouses, transport them to nearby manufacturing facilities and convert them into value-added products for export.
Such an ecosystem could substantially strengthen Kerala's position in global supply chains.
Food processing, electronics, assembly operations, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and consumer goods are among the industries that could benefit from the port's connectivity.
Entrepreneurs in Keralam must recognise and capitalise on these opportunities rather than viewing Vizhinjam merely as a facility for handling shipping containers.
The development of Vizhinjam could generate business opportunities across several sectors.
Trade and logistics: Container handling, warehousing, cold storage and cargo distribution could attract fresh investment as trade volumes increase.
Maritime services: Ship repairs, bunkering, marine surveys and crew-change facilities offer opportunities for specialised service providers. Hospitality and recreational facilities catering to visiting seafarers could also emerge.
Industrial development: Export-oriented manufacturing in food processing, electronics, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and consumer goods could benefit from easier access to international markets.
Supporting services: Equipment maintenance, cargo handling, banking, hospitality and other port-related activities could generate demand for skilled workers and service businesses.
Tourism: Cruise tourism, hotels, restaurants and duty-free retail could become important contributors to the local economy. Providing memorable experiences to international cruise passengers could encourage repeat visits to Keralam.
Together, these activities could create a broader economic ecosystem extending well beyond the boundaries of the port.
Vizhinjam is among India's most technologically advanced and extensively automated ports. According to Jayaraman, certain operations that previously required hours can now be completed in around five minutes with advanced automation systems.
While automation may reduce demand for workers in some traditional operational roles, it is also expected to create new employment opportunities requiring specialised skills.
Mechanical, electrical and electronics engineering are among the fields likely to benefit from increasing technological sophistication at the port.
Cybersecurity and IT-enabled services could also see growing demand as digital systems become integral to port operations.
The challenge for Keralam will be to develop a workforce equipped with the technical skills required by an increasingly automated maritime industry.
Vizhinjam's long-term economic contribution will depend not only on its container-handling capacity but also on how effectively Kerala develops the surrounding business environment.
International trading hubs such as Singapore, Dubai and Hong Kong demonstrate that successful ports support a much wider ecosystem of industries, financial services, logistics and commercial activities.
For Keralam, this means encouraging investment in manufacturing, modern warehousing, maritime services, tourism and skilled workforce development.
The opportunity is not simply to establish another major Indian port. It is to use Vizhinjam as a gateway to global markets and build a stronger, more diversified state economy.
With the port expanding rapidly, Keralam's ability to capture these opportunities could determine whether Vizhinjam becomes merely a major container terminal or the foundation of a new phase of economic growth.
(This article is based on a presentation by Pradeep Jayaraman on emerging business opportunities in Keralam at the Dhanam Growth Summit organised by Dhanam Business Media in Thiruvananthapuram. The original Malayalam article appeared in the October 31 issue of Dhanam magazine and was published online on November 1.)