Vizhinjam Port Inaugurated After Decades-Long Struggle; Marks A New Chapter In India’s Maritime Sector

After decades of delays, setbacks, and obstacles, the Vizhinjam Port project finally saw the light of day as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the facility on Friday, marking a historic moment for India’s maritime infrastructure.

A Vision First Envisioned In 1991

The Vizhinjam International Deepwater Seaport in Kerala, first envisioned in 1991, has endured a long and challenging journey.

Over the years, it faced a series of legal, environmental, logistical, and financial challenges that stalled progress for nearly three decades.

Initial efforts to establish a deep-sea port at Vizhinjam were continuously derailed due to a combination of security concerns, legal entanglements during bidding processes, and a consistent lack of interest from investors.

For over twenty years, the project struggled to take off.

A decisive breakthrough came in August 2015 when the Kerala government signed an agreement with Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd (APSEZ) under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

This agreement breathed new life into the long-pending project, setting it on a path towards realisation.

Previous attempts to award the project in 1995, 2004, 2008, and 2010 had failed.

In 2014, the state government restructured the project with support from the Centre in the form of viability gap funding.

This restructuring attracted Adani Ports as the sole bidder, leading to a 40-year concession deal, extendable by another 20 years, to build, operate, and transfer the port.

The journey from blueprint to execution was far from smooth.

Construction was significantly impacted in 2017 when Cyclone Ockhi damaged the under-construction breakwater.

Material shortages, especially of limestone, and local protests over coastal erosion and livelihood concerns added to the delays.

The COVID-19 pandemic further slowed progress.

Trial Operations & Global-Scale Handling

In July 2024, the port began trial operations, welcoming its first mothership, the ‘San Fernando’.

Since then, it has handled more than 280 vessels and processed over 6 lakh TEUs, including mega container ships like ‘MSC Claude Girarde’ and ‘MSC Turkiye’, two of the world’s largest.

Strategically located just 10 nautical miles from the east-west global shipping lane, Vizhinjam will likely play a transformative role in India’s maritime trade.

Its natural 18-metre draft near the shore eliminates the need for capital dredging, enabling the port to accommodate next-generation container ships with ease.

The port also boasts India’s tallest ship-to-shore cranes and AI-powered traffic systems, making it the country’s first fully automated port.

The economic potential of Vizhinjam Port is considerable.

It is likely to reduce logistics costs for Indian manufacturers by 30 – 40 per cent, enhancing the nation’s export competitiveness.

The Adani Group has already invested over Rs 4,500 crore in the project and plans to invest an additional ₹20,000 crore in upcoming phases.

The expansion aims to increase capacity to 5 million TEUs by 2028 and is likely to generate over 5,000 jobs, fuelling regional economic growth.

Built through close cooperation between the Kerala and Central governments, the Vizhinjam International Seaport is not only a landmark achievement for the Adani Group but also a defining step forward in India’s maritime ambitions.

Also Read: Gautam Adani Hails Vizhinjam Port As Milestone For India’s Maritime Future