Vizhinjam 2.0: India’s Gateway to Global Trade Gets a Game-Changing Upgrade

Image Source: Matrubhumi

Vizhinjam International Seaport is set to embark on a whopping ₹10,000-crore expansion from this September, with an aim to triple its handling capacity and cement Kerala's position as a global shipping hub. The ₹10,000-crore expansion, to be entirely financed by the Adani Group, follows a year of record operation and is scheduled to be completed by 2028.

Key Highlights

Expansion Scope:

1.2 km extension of the main berth (800 meters), new multipurpose berths, extension of the breakwater by 920 meters.
Construction of 1,200-meter-long container pier and 250-meter liquid berth.
Better warehousing, bunkering facilities, and better inland connectivity.

Capacity Boost

Port capacity will increase from 1 million TEUs to 3 million TEUs by 2028 and will reach 5 million TEUs in the long term.
The terminal will be able to handle five of the world's biggest ships simultaneously, and the terminal will be the biggest in South India.

Job Creation & Economic Contribution:

The growth is also anticipated to generate 2,700 direct and indirect job opportunities.
The port will also reduce India's dependence on foreign transshipment hubs, saving enormous foreign exchange and boosting Kerala's export-import sector.

Sustainability & Technology:

No private land to be purchased for the new phases; 77 hectares of land reclaimed from the sea.
Installation of AI-based ship traffic control and advanced automation for enabling faster, safer cargo handling.

Recent Highlights:

During its inaugural year of operation, Vizhinjam processed more than 8.3 lakh containers from almost 400 ships, including the world's biggest ships.
The cruise terminal is operational, with the promise of a tourism kick for Kerala.

Source Hindu Business Line, Deshabhimani, Mathrubhumi, SwarajyaMag