Vizhinjam International Seaport: PM Modi set to inaugurate Kerala's Rs 18,000 crore port on May 2

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Vizhinjam International Seaport near Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on May 2. Positioned as a key strategic project in India’s maritime infrastructure, Vizhinjam is the country’s first semi-automated and truly deepwater transhipment container port.

Announcing the development, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan highlighted the port’s rapid progress since its commercial operations began. “Vizhinjam International Seaport, India's first semi-automated transshipment port, will be dedicated to the nation by Hon'ble PM @narendramodi on May 2. With 265 ships and 5.48 lakh TEUs handled since commercial launch, @PortVizhinjam marks Kerala's rise on the global maritime trade map,” he posted on X.

Vizhinjam International Seaport, India’s first semi-automated transshipment port, will be dedicated to the nation by Hon'ble PM @narendramodi on May 2. With 265 ships and 5.48 lakh TEUs handled since commercial launch, @PortVizhinjam marks Kerala’s rise on the global maritime… pic.twitter.com/lWhGsf6sCM

— Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) April 18, 2025

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India’s first deepwater transshipment port gets going in Kerala

India’s first deepwater transshipment port at Vizhinjam has officially kicked off operations, marking a major moment for the country’s maritime sector. Back in July 2024, the port welcomed its first Mother Ship — MV San Fernando — signalling that it’s now ready for business. 

What makes Vizhinjam even more special is that it’s India’s first Greenfield port project to be launched by a state government. With an investment of over Rs 18,000 crore, it’s one of the largest port ventures ever taken up in the country, all built under the PPP model.

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Why Vizhinjam matters

Located along key international shipping routes, Vizhinjam has a big advantage: it can significantly cut down transit time for vessels. Being a natural deep-water port, it’s built to easily handle massive cargo and container ships — something very few ports in India can boast of.

This port isn’t just about cargo and ships — it’s expected to give Kerala’s economy a major boost. From generating jobs and pulling in investments to turning Kerala into a major trade hub, Vizhinjam is all set to connect India more strongly with Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

(With inputs from ANI)