‘Gateway to the world’: Vizhinjam Port begins export-import operations, targets 5.7 million TEUs
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Vizhinjam International Seaport has commenced export-import (EXIM) operations, marking its transition from a transshipment hub to a gateway for Indian cargo and global markets. The move is expected to reduce India’s dependence on overseas transshipment hubs, shorten transit times and improve supply chain efficiency.
Located around 10 nautical miles from major international shipping routes, Vizhinjam has a natural draft of 18-20 metres and can handle ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs).
The port’s initial EXIM catchment will cover Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, providing businesses across South India with more direct access to international shipping networks.
Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said the port is now a “gateway to the world” and highlighted the need for stronger road and rail connectivity and greater private investment. The state government will allocate ₹3,200 crore for land acquisition for the Ring Road, while discussions have begun to attract private investment, he said.
Ashwani Gupta, CEO and whole-time director of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), said the port represented “the opening of a new gateway” connecting Kerala’s talent and Indian businesses with global markets.
More than 75% of India’s container transshipment cargo is currently handled through foreign ports, according to the media note. Vizhinjam’s EXIM operations are expected to help reduce this dependence and retain a larger share of value from India’s maritime trade.
The port began commercial operations in December 2024 and has since handled more than 2.28 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and 1,100 vessels, including more than 80 ULCVs. It crossed 1 million TEUs within 10 months and 2 million TEUs within 18 months. It also handled MSC Irina, a 399.99-metre vessel with a capacity of 24,346 TEUs, the largest container vessel to visit India.
The ₹16,000-crore Phase 2 expansion will increase the port’s annual capacity to 5.7 million TEUs by December 2028. The expansion will add 1,200 metres of container berth, permanent rail connectivity, enhanced road links, logistics parks and warehousing facilities.
The Phase 2 investment will take the Adani Group’s cumulative investment in the Vizhinjam project to ₹30,000 crore. The development is also expected to create more than 5,000 additional direct and indirect jobs and drive demand for logistics, warehousing and freight-forwarding services across South India.