Adani Ports is planning to develop a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Vizhinjam, taking inspiration from its successful model at Mundra Port in Gujarat. Adani Group is responsible for constructing, managing, and operating the port.
Harikrishnan Sundaram, head of Adani Ports Container Business, shared this during a discussion titled ‘Beyond the Port: Making Vizhinjam a Global Economic Powerhouse’ at the Vizhinjam Conclave, organised by Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) and Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL) in association with the Trivandrum Chamber of Commerce and Industries (TCCI) at 28th and 29th January.
Mundra, Adani's flagship port, is part of a thriving SEZ that includes manufacturing units, warehouses, and export-oriented industries. Its success serves as a blueprint for what Vizhinjam could become if similar plans are implemented.
The idea is to create an industrial ecosystem around Vizhinjam, boosting its role in global trade. Sundaram pointed out that no port in India has handled one million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units, a common measure of shipping container capacity) in its first operational year — something Vizhinjam aims to achieve.
He likened Vizhinjam’s potential to that of Jebel Ali Port in Dubai, which played a major role in transforming the UAE’s economy.
To facilitate this growth, Adani Ports intends to build infrastructure such as SEZs, logistics hubs, and warehouses. However, Sundaram stressed the need for better connectivity to Kerala’s hinterlands through road, rail, and waterways — something that will require cooperation from the government.
Improved transport links, he noted, are crucial for ensuring seamless trade and unlocking economic benefits.
K.R. Jyotilal, Kerala's Additional Chief Secretary, asserted that the state is capable of meeting the energy needs of Vizhinjam Seaport, thanks to hydropower and strides towards solar self-sufficiency.
Meanwhile, Shyam Kapur, CEO of the Sharaf Group, acknowledged Kerala’s strength in overcoming disasters like floods but urged the state to adopt a more open investment policy akin to the UAE.
Other key speakers included are UN Global Compact Network’s Ratnesh Jha, Environment & IT Secretary Rathan U Kelkar, and KSIDC executive director R. Harikrishnan.
