As the first financial year drew to a close, the Vizhinjam International Seaport scripted a benchmark in its capability by handling a record volume of 4.92 lakh twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) containers by facilitating the berthing of 240 ships in less than nine months, proving its position in the thriving maritime business of the country.

The seaport has set another record by handling over 1 lakh containers in a single month, achieving this milestone just four months after commencing commercial operations in December 2024. In March 2025 alone, the port efficiently managed 1.08 lakh TEUs from 51 vessels. The success is attributed to Adani Vizhinjam Port’s strategic deployment of advanced technology and meticulous planning, enabling rapid scalability and reliability, said port minister V.N. Vasavan.

Trial operations began in July 2024, followed by the launch of commercial services in December 2024. This rapid progress highlights the port’s potential to emerge as a pivotal hub in global maritime trade, strengthening India’s logistics infrastructure and reinforcing Kerala’s position as a key player in the industry, he said.

Second and third phases

Recently, the Ministry of Environment and Forests has granted environmental clearance for the second and third phases of development of the port. The environmental clearance will pave the way for setting up additional infrastructure facilities at the port concessionaire Adani Vizhinjam Ports Private Ltd. (AVPPL), which will invest around ?10,000 crore as part of the expansion of the transshipment port.

As part of the second and third phases of development, the container terminal will be expanded to 1,200 m in length, and the length of the breakwater will be increased by another 900 m. Other development works include construction of 1,220-m-long multipurpose berths, 250-m-long liquid berths (with breakwater), liquid cargo storage facilities, and the dredging of approximately 7.20 Mm³ of land covering an area of ??77.17 hectares.

Similarly, after months of uncertainty, the State has decided to accept the Central share of viability gap funding (VGF) of ?817.80 crore for the seaport, clearing the decks for the further expansion of the project by 2028.

Source: The Hindu 

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