Kerala’s Vizhinjam International Seaport has completed its first full year of operations with record-breaking performance, rapidly positioning itself among the world’s most efficient and high-capacity ports.
According to P. Rajeev, Kerala’s Minister for Law, Industries and Coir, the port has achieved extraordinary milestones within just 12 months. A total of 615 vessels called at Vizhinjam, including 41 ultra-large container ships measuring over 399 metres in length. During the year, the port handled an impressive 1.32 million TEUs, far surpassing the initial target of 3 lakh containers. Vizhinjam has also become the fastest port in India to process 1 million TEUs, setting a new national benchmark.
The State has played a major role in this progress. Of the ₹7,700 crore invested in Phase 1 of the project, the Government of Kerala contributed nearly ₹4,600 crore, in addition to fully funding the ₹1,350 crore breakwater construction.
In a major boost to India’s green maritime ambitions, the country’s first ship-to-ship LNG bunkering facility is set to take shape at Vizhinjam. BPCL has signed an MoU with Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt. Ltd., marking a significant step toward building sustainable fuel infrastructure for next-generation vessels.
While earlier projections estimated full completion of Vizhinjam port infrastructure by 2045, accelerated construction is now on track to achieve completion by 2028, highlighting rapid execution and strong state support.
Looking ahead, Vizhinjam is central to Kerala’s Vision 2031. The government has unveiled plans for the Vizhinjam Outer Area Growth Corridor, a transformative development aimed at establishing the region as a global economic powerhouse. The corridor will feature eight major economic clusters, including an industrial township, a tourism-integrated industrial zone, a logistics hub, and a regional business centre.
With rising traffic, swift infrastructure development, and strategic long-term planning, Vizhinjam International Seaport is poised to become one of India’s most crucial maritime gateways and a globally competitive transshipment hub.
