Nearly 400 vessels arrived at Vizhinjam port in last one year: Minister Vasavan

Thiruvananthapuram: Vizhinjam transshipment hub celebrated the arrival of 400 container ships since first vessel arrived in July 11 2024. The minister said that since the arrival of the San Fernando ship at the port 392 ships, including 23 ultra-large vessels, have arrived at the transshipment hub and 8.3 lakh containers were handled.

Kerala Ports Minister V N Vasavan on Friday said that Vizhinjam also managed to become the number one port on the south-east coast of India after commencing commercial operations in December last year.

He claimed that the port was able to work at full capacity right from the start of its commercial operations, a rarity in the world.

It also helped to show the world that India has the ability to operate a port using advanced technologies, including automation and AI, Vasavan said in his post.

The other achievements of the port include training women from the local Vizhinjam community to become India's first female automated crane operators and supporting more than one lakh people through social responsibility projects in areas including health, education and skill development, he said.

"Along with celebrating the first year with pride, the second phase of construction, which is expected to cost over Rs 10,000 crore, will also begin soon. Vizhinjam will grow as the gateway to India's maritime supremacy," he said in the post.

The port has been developed by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) under a public - private partnership model at an estimated cost of Rs 8,867 crore.

The port was dedicated to the nation on May 2 this year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.