Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially commissioned the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Thiruvananthapuram, which was completed at an estimated cost of Rs 8,800 crore.

Vizhinjam International Seaport

• Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport is the country’s first dedicated container transshipment port.

• Vizhinjam Port is a strategic maritime project near Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. 

• The deepwater port has been developed by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), part of the Adani Group, under a public-private partnership.

• The world class, future ready port is closest to the international shipping routes. 

• It has a natural draft of 20-24 m and minimal littoral drift. Some of the largest container vessels in the world will be able to dock here. 

• Vizhinjam Port offers large scale automation for quick turnaround of vessels with state-of-the-art infrastructure to handle megamax containerships. 

• The port is expected to transform India’s role in international trade and shipping.

• Vizhinjam’s strategic location near international shipping routes significantly reduces transit times for vessels, making it a pivotal point for maritime trade.

• The development of the Vizhinjam Port is poised to boost Kerala’s economic growth by creating jobs, enhancing trade, and attracting investments. 

• Vizhinjam Port, having strategic importance, has been identified as a key priority project which will contribute in strengthening India’s position in global trade, enhance logistics efficiency, and reduce reliance on foreign ports for cargo transshipment. 

• Vizhinjam is set to become a key player in regional trade, potentially serving as a gateway for commerce between Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

Why India needs deepwater container transshipment port?

• India has 12 major ports, but lacks a landside mega-port and terminal infrastructure for ultra-large container ships.

• As a result, nearly 75 per cent of India’s transshipment cargo is handled at ports outside India, primarily in Colombo, Singapore, and Klang.

Developing a port into a transshipment hub offers several benefits:

i) Forex savings

ii) Foreign direct investment

iii) Increased economic activity at other Indian ports

iv) Development of related logistics infrastructure

v) Employment generation

vi) Improved operational/logistics efficiencies

vii) Increase in revenue share.

viii) It also stimulates related businesses, including ship services, logistics, and bunkering.

ix) A deepwater container transshipment port can attract a significant share of the container transshipment traffic currently diverted to Colombo, Singapore, and Dubai.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)