The Vizhinjam International Seaport at Thiruvananthapuram, jointly developed by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone and the Kerala government, completed its first year of commercial operations on Wednesday. The port closed the year with numbers that could signal how quickly it is positioning itself in India’s maritime map, though much of its long-term impact will only become clearer in the years ahead.
In just 10 months of active operations, Vizhinjam became the fastest Indian port to handle 1 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of cargo. Since its launch, the port has handled 615 vessels and a total of 1.32 million TEUs, indicating steady traffic through its terminals.
One of the more striking trends from the year has been the size of the vessels calling at Vizhinjam. The port handled 41 ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) measuring more than 399 metres in length. This is reportedly the highest count for any Indian port so far. A total of 154 vessels above 300 metres were also serviced, suggesting that Vizhinjam may be emerging as a preferred stop for larger carriers.
Two notable ships made their way to the port during the year: MSC Verona, which arrived with a 17.1 metre draft—the deepest ever recorded for south Asia—and MSC Irina, currently considered one of the world’s largest container ships. These arrivals indicate that Vizhinjam’s depth and infrastructure may be drawing in ships that typically bypass many Indian ports.
Vizhinjam also became the first port in India to deploy women automated crane operators. It could be an early step towards broader inclusion in the maritime workforce, though how this translates into wider industry change remains to be seen.
Preparations for the port’s second phase are under way, although the formal inauguration has been planned after the local body election. The ongoing works include extending the berth and the breakwater.
According to the port’s master plan, the breakwater—currently around 3,000 metres long—will be extended to 3,900 metres by 2028. The container terminal berth will expand from 800 metres to an additional 1.2 km. The investment for this phase is expected to be around ₹9,700 crore by the port concessionaire Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Ltd.
Once completed, the expansion could push the port’s annual handling capacity to more than 4 million TEUs. If the projections hold, Vizhinjam may become the largest container-handling port in southern India.
Vizhinjam’s location close to major East–West shipping lanes gives it a natural advantage. The port authorities believe this could help it evolve into a deep-water transshipment hub for India. With its ability to handle very large vessels and quick turnaround times, the port may be carving out a new role in international maritime trade, although the long-term picture will likely depend on global shipping trends.
