Kerala Minister for Ports V. Vasavan on Tuesday said the Vizhinjam International Seaport has emerged as a major symbol of the state’s development and is rapidly advancing towards becoming India’s largest transshipment hub. The second phase of the port’s construction will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on January 24 at 4 pm.
The minister said proactive, development-oriented interventions by the state government have enabled the entire Vizhinjam port project—originally scheduled for completion by 2045—to be realised by 2028. Under the Supplementary Concession Agreement signed with the concessionaire in 2023, the second, third and fourth phases are being implemented together, nearly 17 years ahead of the original schedule.
Within just one year of commencing operations, Vizhinjam port has handled 15.13 lakh TEUs from 710 vessels. Direct shipping services connecting major ports in Europe, America, Africa and Asia have also begun in a short span, positioning Vizhinjam as a key node in global maritime trade and a strategic commercial gateway for South Asia.
India’s first fully automated port, Vizhinjam became operational with Phase One—having an annual capacity of 1 million TEUs—on December 3, 2024. Phase Two will increase capacity fivefold to 5 million TEUs. As part of the expansion, berth length will be extended from 800 metres to 2,000 metres, while the breakwater will be lengthened from 3 km to 4 km.
Phase Two will also see the development of new infrastructure, including a railway yard, multipurpose berth, liquid terminal and tank farm. The total investment for this phase is estimated at ₹9,700 crore. Once completed, the port will support both import and export of containers, with container movement enabled by road as well.
A cruise terminal is also planned, allowing large passenger vessels to dock and giving a boost to tourism and allied economic activity in Kerala. The proposed liquid terminal will enable large ships to refuel during long-haul voyages—facilities currently available only at select major ports—significantly enhancing state tax revenues. Vizhinjam’s proximity to major international shipping routes between Southeast Asia and Europe is expected to attract increased bunkering traffic.
The minister noted that no additional land acquisition is required for Phase Two, as 55 hectares will be reclaimed from the sea. With the expansion of the container yard, storage capacity will rise from 35,000 containers to 1 lakh containers. The total number of cranes will increase to 100, including 30 ship-to-shore cranes and 70 yard cranes.
With a straight berth length of 2 km, Vizhinjam will become India’s largest straight-berth port, capable of accommodating four mother ships simultaneously. The breakwater extension to 4 km will further enhance operational safety and efficiency. As shipping and logistics companies establish operations around the port, employment opportunities are expected to increase significantly.
Since the start of commercial operations, Vizhinjam has generated ₹106 crore in tax revenue for the Kerala government, underscoring its growing economic impact.
