Inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi, this world-class deepwater port places Kerala at the heart of global trade routes.
Thiruvananthapuram, May 2, 2025 — In a landmark moment for India’s maritime ambitions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Vizhinjam International Seaport, Kerala’s first deepwater transshipment hub and India’s gateway to global shipping lanes. Developed at a cost of ₹8,867 crore under a public-private partnership between the Adani Group and the Kerala government, the port is poised to transform the nation’s logistics and trade landscape
Strategically located near the international east-west shipping route in the Arabian Sea, Vizhinjam boasts a natural sea depth of 20 meters, enabling it to accommodate the world’s largest container vessels without extensive dredging
This makes it a rare gem among Indian ports and a vital node in the global maritime network.
The port has already demonstrated its potential, having handled over 285 ships and nearly 600,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) even before its formal commissioning . With a designed capacity of 3 million TEUs annually—scalable to 4.5 million—Vizhinjam is expected to significantly reduce India’s reliance on foreign transshipment hubs like Colombo, Singapore, and Jebel Ali. This shift could save Indian exporters and importers an estimated $200–220 million annually in logistics costs
Speaking at the inauguration, PM Modi emphasized the port’s role in enhancing India’s maritime self-reliance and economic resilience. “Vizhinjam is not just a port; it is a symbol of India’s growing strength in global trade,” he said, noting that the country’s port capacity has doubled and turnaround times have improved by 30% in recent years
Beyond economics, Vizhinjam represents a strategic leap for Kerala. It places the state firmly on the global maritime map, opening up new avenues for employment, industrial growth, and international investment. The port is also expected to catalyze development in logistics, warehousing, and allied sectors across southern India.
As India aspires to become a global manufacturing and export powerhouse, Vizhinjam stands as a beacon of that vision—anchoring not just ships, but the hopes of a nation charting its course toward maritime excellence.