On Thursday morning, the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Thiruvananthapuram reached a significant milestone as it welcomed its very first mothership. The vessel, San Fernando, owned by SFL Corporation Ltd. and chartered by Maersk (AP Moller Group) of Denmark, arrived at the port’s outer area at 7:00 AM and docked by 9:30 AM.
San Fernando, a majestic 300 meters long and 48 meters wide, was greeted with a grand water salute from the tugboat ‘Ocean Prestige.’ The occasion drew thousands of spectators, many of whom waved Indian flags in a vibrant display of national pride.
The arrival of San Fernando marks a historic moment for Vizhinjam International Seaport, which is set to become India’s first deep water container transshipment port. This new port features a natural draft of 18-20 meters, allowing it to accommodate some of the largest container vessels in the world. Located just 16 kilometers south of Thiruvananthapuram, Vizhinjam sits strategically on the international East-West shipping route, positioning it as a future competitor to major ports like Colombo, Salalah, and Singapore.
The docking of San Fernando also signifies the beginning of the trial operations phase for the port, which is on the verge of full commissioning. An official ceremony to mark this landmark event is scheduled for tomorrow.
Kerala’s Port Minister V. N. Vasavan has emphasized that once the port is officially declared a customs port, it will be ready for cargo handling. The port has already received its location code (IN NYY1) and is awaiting several additional clearances, including Electronic Data Interchange recognition and custodian code. Full-scale commercial operations are expected to commence by December.
As Vizhinjam International Seaport moves closer to becoming fully operational, this historic arrival not only celebrates a significant achievement but also sets the stage for future growth and global competition in the maritime industry.