India marked a pivotal moment in its maritime journey with the inauguration of the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As the nation’s first deepwater transshipment port, Vizhinjam is not just a logistics hub—it is a strategic asset that is set to transform India's role in global shipping and trade.

A transshipment port is a vital node in the global supply chain where cargo is transferred from one vessel or mode of transport to another, helping consolidate shipments and improve efficiency. For decades, nearly 70% of India’s container transshipment needs were routed through foreign ports such as Colombo, Singapore, and Jebel Ali. This not only inflated costs—adding $80 to $100 per container—but also led to annual financial losses exceeding $200 million.

Vizhinjam changes the game by offering a domestic alternative that promises to slash costs and streamline logistics.

Situated just 10 nautical miles from key international shipping lanes in the Arabian Sea, the Rs 8,900-crore project represents a bold leap toward self-reliance in maritime logistics. Developed through a public-private partnership between the Kerala Government and Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), with support from the central government, Vizhinjam is designed to reduce India’s dependence on foreign ports for transshipment.

Natural Depth, Global Capability

What sets Vizhinjam apart is its natural depth of 18–20 meters within just one kilometer from the shoreline. Unlike most Indian ports that require regular dredging—an expensive and environmentally damaging process—Vizhinjam can dock the world’s largest cargo ships directly. This includes “mother vessels” carrying over 20,000 containers, making it the first Indian port to handle mega-ships like MSC Türkiye, with a capacity of 24,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units).

The port also benefits from a stable coastline with minimal sand movement, reducing the long-term maintenance burden and ensuring operational consistency.

A Strong Public-Private Model

Ownership of the port is distributed among key stakeholders to balance governance with efficiency: the Kerala government holds 61.5%, Adani Ports 28.9%, and the Union government 9.6%. This structure ensures that while the port benefits from private-sector agility, public oversight helps align the project with national interests.

At present, Vizhinjam can handle 1 million containers per year, with expansion plans under two more phases set to raise that capacity to 7.4 million TEUs. 

Its connectivity is another key strength: located just 2 km from a national highway, 12 km from a railway line, and 15 km from Trivandrum International Airport, it is ideally placed for seamless multimodal transport.

The port is a cornerstone of the Viksit Bharat initiative, which aims to modernize India’s infrastructure and transform the country into a globally competitive economy. With the launch of Vizhinjam, India takes a decisive step toward maritime sovereignty—cutting down foreign reliance, lowering freight charges, and paving the way for more resilient trade practices.

Anchoring India’s Future in Global Trade

As a dedicated deepwater transshipment terminal, Vizhinjam promises to be more than just a port—it is a strategic enabler for India’s trade ambitions. With its unique capabilities and strategic location, it’s poised to anchor India’s place in the global maritime network, ushering in an era of greater efficiency, autonomy, and global relevance.