Vizhinjam Reaps Early Gains, Handles 664 Ships From 160 Countries in First Year

Thiruvananthapuram: The Vizhinjam International Seaport has quickly established itself as a major milestone for the country, recording strong performance within a year of launching commercial operations. During this period, 664 vessels called at the port for cargo handling, surpassing initial expectations.

The port handled nearly four lakh containers more than its original target. While the first-year goal was to process 10 lakh containers, actual throughput touched close to 14 lakh containers, reflecting faster-than-anticipated growth.

The operations also generated around 100 crore in tax revenue. Adding to its global footprint, vessels from as many as 160 countries called at Vizhinjam, underlining the port’s growing importance in international maritime trade.

Several of the world’s largest container ships, including MSC Turkey, MSC Irina and MSC Verona, berthed at the port during the year. These vessels had not previously operated along Asian shores, marking a significant achievement for Vizhinjam.

The port has now been included in MSC’s Jade Service linking European countries, as well as its Africa service, strengthening its connectivity with key global trade routes. Construction of the second phase of the project is scheduled to begin in January. Once completed in 2028, the port’s minimum installed capacity is expected to rise to 40 lakh TEUs per year. Adani Ports is set to invest an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 crore in the expansion.