Adani Group has announced plans to double its investment in the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala, India, increasing the total investment to $2.4 billion by 2028. This funding is aimed at transforming Vizhinjam into a major global transshipment hub, enhancing its capacity five-fold to handle 5 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units).
Vizhinjam's strategic location, 11 nautical miles from international shipping lanes and with a natural depth of 79 feet, makes it an ideal destination for some of the world's largest vessels. The port's Phase I operations commenced with the arrival of the Maersk-operated MV San Fernando, marking the debut of India's first automated port equipped with state-of-the-art container handling technology.
Karan Adani, Managing Director of Adani Ports, highlighted the project's scale, noting that the initial phase, involving an investment of Rs 8,867 crore, is already underway. This phase will see the development of 600 meters of quay length and 7,500 container yard slots, with an expected handling capacity of 1.5 million TEUs per annum. The remaining phases, expected to be completed by 2028, will further enhance the port's capabilities.
Kerala's Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, emphasized the port's potential to significantly boost employment in the region, creating over 5,000 jobs. The port's development is also expected to reduce India's dependence on foreign ports for transshipment, currently at 75%, thus facilitating smoother and more cost-effective international trade routes for the country.
“This is a new episode in the development of Kerala,” Vijayan added. “These types of ports are only a handful in the world.”