Prime Minister dedicates Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala to the nation

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated the Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport to the nation on May 2 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

• Project Value: The port is developed at a cost of ₹8,800 crore.

• Significance: It is India’s first dedicated container transshipment port, marking a major milestone in India’s maritime infrastructure under the Viksit Bharat vision.

Strategic Importance:

• Identified as a key priority project.
• Aims to strengthen India’s position in global trade.
• Enhances logistics efficiency and reduces reliance on foreign ports for cargo transshipment.

Geographical Advantage:

• Natural deep draft of nearly 20 meters.
• Located just 10 nautical miles from the major international east-west shipping route.
• Close proximity to shipping routes connecting Europe, the Gulf, and the Far East.

Technological Edge:

• First semi-automated port in India.
• Aims to repatriate Indian cargo transshipment currently handled by foreign ports like Singapore, Colombo, Salalah, and Dubai.

Economic Impact:

• Transforms Vizhinjam into a world-class transshipment hub.
• Will serve the entire Indian subcontinent, improving connectivity and trade flow.

Operational Milestone:

• Giant container ships, such as MSC Turkiye (24,346 TEUs) and MSC Claude Girardet (24,116 TEUs), have already docked at the port, demonstrating its capacity.

(Source: PIB)