Thiruvananthapuram, May 2 (NationPress) The vision for building a deep-sea port at Vizhinjam has its roots back in 1991. Throughout the years, various attempts were made to launch the project, but it encountered numerous hurdles, including security issues and legal conflicts concerning bidding, along with a lack of investor enthusiasm.

In August 2015, the Kerala government entered into a partnership with Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd (APSEZ) to develop the Vizhinjam International Deepwater Seaport under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework. This represented a crucial milestone in realizing the long-cherished ambition of establishing a premier port in the area.

After several unsuccessful attempts in 1995, 2004, 2008, and 2010, the state government in 2014 acknowledged the project's standalone financial viability and structured it with viability gap funding (VGF) support from the Central government, alongside significant backing from the state.

In 2015, Adani Ports emerged as the sole selected bidder, receiving a 40-year concession to construct, operate, and eventually transfer the port, with an option for a 20-year extension.

However, the journey to execute the Vizhinjam Port project was not without its challenges.

The Cyclone Ockhi in 2017 inflicted considerable damage to infrastructure, notably the breakwater, causing delays. A shortage of key construction materials, particularly limestone, further impeded progress, compounded by protests due to concerns over coastal erosion and loss of livelihoods.

Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains and labor availability, leading to further delays.

Despite these setbacks, the Adani Group persevered with resilience and continued to push towards project completion.

As of May 2025, the Vizhinjam International Seaport stands as a symbol of India's maritime aspirations:

The port began trial operations in July 2024, welcoming its first mothership, the San Fernando. In September 2024 and April 2025, it received the MSC Claude Girarde and MSC Turkiye, two of the world's ultra-large container ships and the largest vessels to ever dock at an Indian port.

Since commencing operations, the port has managed over 280 vessels and processed 6 Lakh TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units).

The port features a natural deep draft of 18m close to the shoreline, eliminating the need for capital dredging. Vizhinjam can utilize its inherent depth to accommodate even ultra-large next-gen container vessels requiring drafts of over 20m.

It is equipped with India's tallest ship-to-shore cranes and advanced AI-driven vessel traffic management systems.

Located just 10 nautical miles from the international east-west shipping route, Vizhinjam is set to emerge as a crucial transshipment hub, decreasing India's dependency on ports like Colombo, Singapore, and Dubai.

The port is anticipated to significantly reduce logistics costs for Indian manufacturers by 30-40%, boosting the country's export competitiveness.

With plans to expand capacity to 5 million TEUs by 2028 utilizing cutting-edge technology, the port is poised to be instrumental in enhancing India's maritime infrastructure.

In collaboration with both the state and Central governments, the Adani Group has already invested over Rs 4,500 crore in the Vizhinjam International Seaport initiative.

As the first automated port in India, Vizhinjam is establishing new standards in port management and operations. The Adani Group is expected to inject an additional Rs 20,000 crore in forthcoming phases of the project, generating over 5,000 jobs and significantly uplifting the local economy.