Adani Ports game-changer: How Vizhinjam Port launch propels India onto global shipping stage

Adani Ports & SEZ has officially announced the arrival of the first mother ship at its Vizhinjam port, a landmark event that positions India prominently on the global transshipment map. This historic moment was inaugurated by Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, the Chief Minister of Kerala, with Shri V. N. Vasavan, the Minister for Ports, Kerala, presiding over the gathering. Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, graced the event as the chief guest.

India’s First Automated Port Begins Operations

This event also celebrates the debut of India’s first automated port, boasting state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities. Vizhinjam Port is now equipped to handle large vessels like the San Fernando, a 300-meter-long container vessel operated by Maersk. This ship, which has a capacity of 8,000-9,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), is set to offload about 2,000 containers and engage in 400 container movements within the vessel during its stay at the port.

Inauguration of the first mother ship at Vizhinjam Port by Adani Ports & SEZ, marks a historic milestone in India’s maritime history.

Unparalleled Technological Advancements

Karan Adani, Managing Director of Adani Ports and SEZ Limited (APSEZ), highlighted the port’s cutting-edge technology, stating, “San Fernando – now berthed at our harbor – is a symbol of a new, glorious achievement in Indian maritime history. It is a messenger that will tell the world that India’s first transshipment terminal and the largest deepwater port has begun commercial operations”. He added, “No other port in India – including our own highly advanced Mundra Port – has these technologies. What we have installed here is South Asia’s most advanced container handling technology.”

Strategic Impact on India’s Trade and Container Traffic

The strategic location of Vizhinjam Port is expected to significantly enhance the movement of transshipment traffic within India, connecting major trade routes between the US, Europe, Africa, and the Indian subcontinent, as well as the Far East. This positions the port to play a pivotal role in handling international trade routes, boosting both regional and global trade dynamics.

Vizhinjam International Seaport: A Landmark PPP Initiative

Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala represents the largest private sector investment in the state and is a critical economic infrastructure project promoted by the Government of Kerala in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Limited (AVPPL), a special purpose vehicle formed by Adani Ports and Logistics, won the bid to develop the project and has been navigating multiple challenges to bring the port to its current advanced stage of completion.