Vizhinjam International Seaport: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport in Kerala, marking the first phase of the country’s first international deepwater transhipment project. The mega port, built at a cost of Rs 8,900 crore, is expected to transform India’s maritime infrastructure and logistics efficiency.
PM calls Vizhinjam a major step for ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision
Following the inauguration, PM Modi posted on X, “The Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport in Kerala is a significant advancement in India’s maritime infrastructure.”
The Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport in Kerala is a significant advancement in India’s maritime infrastructure. https://t.co/sUeQ5k7TK1
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 2, 2025
The prime minister had landed in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday night and was flown to the port site by helicopter. Before the official inauguration, he visited the port’s operations centre and deck area to take stock of the project’s progress.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who represents Thiruvananthapuram, welcomed the PM at the airport. Sharing a post on social media, Tharoor wrote, “Despite delays at the dysfunctional Delhi airport, managed to land in Thiruvananthapuram in time to receive Prime Minister Narendra Modi… Looking forward to his officially commissioning Vizhinjam port, a project I have been proud to have been involved with since its inception.”
Port gains traction even before formal launch
Even before its formal commissioning, Vizhinjam port has recorded significant progress. Since trial operations began in July last year, the port has handled 285 vessels — including some of the world’s largest container ships. A major milestone came last month when MSC Türkiye, one of the globe’s biggest container carriers, docked at the port.
The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has already added Vizhinjam port to its Jade service, which is an important shipping route between Asia and Europe. This move has helped Vizhinjam grow into an important transhipment hub, improving India’s sea trade connections and global presence.
The port is being built through a Public-Private Partnership model. Vizhinjam is located near one of the world’s busiest shipping routes and has a natural sea depth of nearly 20 meters. This makes it perfect for docking large container ships. The port is expected to reduce India’s dependence on foreign ports, lower shipping costs, and make trade more efficient.
However, the project has not been without challenges. Two years ago, some local fishermen protested, raising concerns about the environment and their livelihoods. Despite this, the project has continued and is now seen as a major step forward for India’s maritime sector.
Anurag Dhole is a seasoned journalist and content writer with a passion for delivering timely, accurate, and engaging stories. With over 8 years of experience in digital media, she covers a wide range of topics—from breaking news and politics to business insights and cultural trends. Jane's writing style blends clarity with depth, aiming to inform and inspire readers in a fast-paced media landscape. When she’s not chasing stories, she’s likely reading investigative features or exploring local cafés for her next writing spot.
- ANURAG DHOLEhttps://indiatadkha.com/author/bitlancetechhubgmail-com/
- ANURAG DHOLEhttps://indiatadkha.com/author/bitlancetechhubgmail-com/
- ANURAG DHOLEhttps://indiatadkha.com/author/bitlancetechhubgmail-com/
- ANURAG DHOLEhttps://indiatadkha.com/author/bitlancetechhubgmail-com/
