Vizhinjam Port opens new gateway to global trade with EXIM operations

Key points

• Ashwani Gupta, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Whole-time Director, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd.
• P K Kunhalikutty, Minister for Industries, Kerala; M Vincent, MLA; Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, Director General of Maritime Administration, Government of…
• Vizhinjam International Seaport has commenced full-fledged Export-Import (EXIM) operations in the presence of Kerala chief minister V D Satheesan.
• The initial EXIM catchment covers Keralam, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, giving businesses across South India more direct access to international…

Vizhinjam International Seaport has commenced full-fledged Export-Import (EXIM) operations in the presence of Kerala chief minister V D Satheesan

EXIM operations mean handling cargo being exported from or imported into the country, along with transshipment between international shipping services.

During he occasion V D Satheesan said, “It is a proud moment for us and Vizhinjam is now a gateway to the world. The challenge before us is to make the most of this opportunity through Mission Samudra, with Vizhinjam as its base, stronger road and rail connectivity and greater private investment. While discussions have already begun to bring in private investment.”, the government will allocate ₹3,200 crore for land acquisition for the Ring Road.

Ashwani Gupta, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Whole-time Director, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. (APSEZ), India’s largest integrated transport operator, said, “It is the opening of a new gateway connecting Kerala’s talent, India’s enterprise and the aspirations of millions to global markets.” He stated the port’s purpose extends beyond cargo movement, serving India’s aspirations for self-reliance, global competitiveness and maritime leadership.

What happened

The Vizhinjam investment is part of the Adani Group’s wider commitment to Keralam and its infrastructure-led growth. With the Phase 2 investment, the Group’s cumulative investment in the Vizhinjam project will reach ₹30,000 crore, the largest investment committed by any business house in Keralam. The investment reflects the Group’s role in expanding critical infrastructure, strengthening connectivity and supporting a more conducive environment for business and investment in the state.

The shift to EXIM operations has wider implications for the efficiency of India’s maritime trade. This arrangement can reduce reliance on overseas transshipment hubs, shorten transit time and improve supply chain efficiency.

The significance of Vizhinjam extends to India’s maritime competitiveness. More than 75 per cent of India’s container transshipment cargo is currently handled through foreign ports, adding logistics costs and transit time. Vizhinjam’s EXIM operations will help address this structural dependence and strengthen India’s ability to retain greater value from its maritime trade.

Located close to major East-West shipping routes, Vizhinjam has already demonstrated its ability to operate at global scale. Commercial operations commenced on 3 December 2024 and the port has since handled more than 2.28 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and 1,100 vessels, including over 80 Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs). It crossed 1 million TEUs in just 10 months and 2 million TEUs in 18 months. It also handled MSC Irina, a 399.99-metre vessel with a capacity of 24,346 TEUs, the largest container vessel to visit India.

The details

The initial EXIM catchment covers Keralam, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, giving businesses across South India more direct access to international shipping networks. While driving demand for logistics, warehousing, freight forwarding and related services, the port is expected to backing the competitiveness of manufacturing and commercial centres such as Bengaluru, Coimbatore and Tiruppur. The development is also anticipated to create more than 5,000 additional direct and indirect jobs, opening new opportunities throughout the wider maritime and logistics ecosystem.

The next phase will further expand Vizhinjam’s capacity and supporting infrastructure. The ₹16,000-crore Phase 2 expansion will raise annual capacity to 5.7 million TEUs, add 1,200 metres of container berth and bring permanent rail connectivity, enhanced road connectivity, logistics parks, warehousing and other supporting infrastructure. Accelerated full-phase development is targeted for December 2028.

While creating new opportunities for businesses and industries across South India, with this transition, Vizhinjam is due to play a larger role in India’s global trade ambitions.

P K Kunhalikutty, Minister for Industries, Kerala; M Vincent, MLA; Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, Director General of Maritime Administration, Government of India; maritime partners and other dignitaries participated in the event.