Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned the first phase of the Adani Vizhinjam Seaport today, positioning it as a game-changer in India’s maritime and transshipment capabilities. Developed at a cost of ₹8,867 crore, the port is located in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram district and is expected to reduce India’s dependence on foreign transshipment hubs like Colombo and Singapore.
Arriving by helicopter around 10:15 a.m., the Prime Minister reviewed the state-of-the-art facilities before formally inaugurating the port at 11:33 a.m. Dignitaries included Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor.
Adani Vizhinjam Seaport: Decades in the Making
Conceived in 1991, the Vizhinjam port project faced decades of delays due to legal, environmental, and investment challenges. The breakthrough came in 2015 when the Kerala government awarded the project to Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd (APSEZ) under a 40-year Build-Operate-Transfer concession, with a 20-year extension option.
Strategic and Technological Edge
Adani Vizhinjam boasts a natural draft of 18 meters deep enough to accommodate ultra-large container vessels without capital dredging. Just 10 nautical miles from the key east–west international shipping lane, its location is seen as a strategic advantage. The port features India’s tallest ship-to-shore cranes and AI-powered vessel traffic management systems.
Since trial operations began in July 2024, it has handled over 280 vessels and processed more than 6 lakh TEUs. Among the ships received were some of the world’s largest, including the MSC Claude Girarde and MSC Türkiye.
Economic Impact and Future Expansion
The port is expected to lower logistics costs for Indian manufacturers by 30–40%, significantly improving export competitiveness. Plans are underway to scale capacity to 5 million TEUs by 2028. Adani Group has already invested over ₹4,500 crore and is set to pump in another ₹20,000 crore in upcoming phases, with projections of over 5,000 new jobs.
With today’s commissioning, Adani Vizhinjam signals a bold shift in India’s maritime posture built on automation, global-scale infrastructure, and strategic foresight.
