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Vizhinjam port, a new chapter in India’s maritime history, infra landscape

Prime Minister Modi described the state-of-the-art port a “symbol of new-age development”

Open | 02 May, 2025

On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and dedicated the Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport in Kerala to the nation, marking a significant milestone in India’s maritime history. This ₹8,900 crore project, developed under a public-private partnership between the Adani Group and the Kerala government, stands as India’s first dedicated deep-water transshipment port.

This is indeed a momentous occasion for the country for obvious reasons: strategically located near one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, just 10 nautical miles from the international east-west shipping route, Vizhinjam port boasts a natural depth of 24 meters, enabling it to accommodate ultra-large container ships without extensive dredging .

The port, according to officials and reports, is equipped with semi-automated operations, including AI-enabled vessel traffic management systems developed in collaboration with IIT Madras, fully automated yard cranes, and remotely operated ship-to-shore cranes.

In his address, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the port as a “symbol of new-age development,” emphasising its role in reducing India’s dependence on foreign ports for its transshipment purposes. He noted that the port’s capacity is expected to triple over the years, and in the process would reclaim a substantial share of the country’s outbound cargo currently handled by ports overseas.

Following the inauguration in Kerala, Modi flew to Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, where he would launch and lay the foundation stone for 94 development projects worth over ₹58,000 crore. These projects encompass the construction of the assembly, secretariat, high court buildings, judicial residential quarters, national highways, railway upgrades, and defense-related installations, reports said.

Undoubtedly, these initiatives underscore India’s commitment to enhancing its infrastructure, boosting economic growth and positioning the nation as a significant player in global trade and logistics.