Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally dedicated the Vizhinjam International Seaport to the country on May 2, marking a significant milestone in Kerala’s maritime journey. Calling it a gateway to new possibilities, Modi said the project could unlock economic prospects not just for the state but for the country’s wider shipping and trade ambitions.
Without naming anyone, Modi also remarked that the port’s launch had “disturbed the sleep of certain individuals” — a likely reference to the political noise surrounding the project’s trajectory.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who chaired the event, said Vizhinjam would soon rank among the world’s leading ports. He highlighted the fact that though the project was contractually due only by 2045, the government had fast-tracked construction. The port is expected to be fully operational by 2028, and all three phases are set to be completed by then.
Vijayan said the state managed to push ahead with the project despite criticism and misinformation campaigns, and thanked those who supported it across political and civil platforms
The port’s main draw is its natural depth of around 20 metres, allowing it to accommodate ultra-large container vessels directly. Currently, most cargo from Indian ports gets rerouted through Colombo, Dubai’s Jebel Ali, or Singapore using smaller feeder vessels.
With Vizhinjam in the picture, this detour may no longer be needed. Direct berthing for mother ships means quicker turnaround times and potentially lower costs — two major checkboxes in international shipping.
Modi noted that this is the first time a large-scale port has been developed under the leadership of a state government. Of the total ₹8,867 crore budget for Phase 1, Kerala contributed ₹5,595 crore, Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt Ltd invested ₹2,454 crore, and the central government chipped in with ₹818 crore as viability gap funding.
The idea of the Vizhinjam Port was first floated by the Left Democratic Front government back in 1996. However, the agreement with the Adani Group came only in 2015. Over the years, the project faced delays, environmental protests, and legal hurdles.
Yet, 28 years later, the port has begun operations — a rare case of political continuity in India’s infrastructure development.
Since the start of its trial operations, 285 vessels have docked at Vizhinjam. The port has already handled more than 5.93 TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units). It currently has an annual handling capacity of 1 million TEUs, which is projected to increase to 3.3 million TEUs as further phases get completed.
Natural depth of 18–20 metres
10 nautical miles from international shipping route
First semi-automated port in South India
Hosted MSC Turkiye, the world’s largest cargo ship
Integrated into MSC’s JADE service, linking Europe and Africa
Total Cost: ₹8,867 crore
Kerala Government Share: ₹5,595 crore
Adani Group: ₹2,454 crore
Central Government: ₹818 crore
As part of the expansion roadmap:
Phase 2 and 3 construction will begin soon
The container terminal will be extended to 1,200 metres
Adani Ports plans to invest an additional ₹10,000 crore
The breakwater will be extended by 900 metres
Plans are on for 1,220-metre multipurpose berths
250-metre liquid berths with storage zones are in the works
A large container storage yard is also being developed
If things go as planned, Vizhinjam could become more than just a port. Logistics hubs, industrial parks, seafood processing units, and export-focused manufacturing units may start lining up near the area. Industry insiders believe that Kerala could slowly shift from being an exporter of manpower to becoming a trade and logistics powerhouse.
Several global shipping firms are already exploring potential tie-ups. Thousands of jobs—both direct and indirect—may emerge in the coming years. For now, all eyes are on how fast Vizhinjam can scale and how far it can sail.
