Daijiworld Media Network - Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 24: Kerala marked a major milestone in its infrastructure push on Saturday with the formal launch of Phase II of the Vizhinjam International Seaport, a project that has rapidly elevated the state’s profile in global shipping and logistics.

Addressing the event, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the port’s swift progress effectively dismantles the long-standing notion that large projects fail to move forward in Kerala. Vizhinjam, he noted, has already secured a place on international shipping routes within a remarkably short span.

Operational for over a year, the port has emerged as a standout success in India’s port sector. Vijayan pointed out that the first mothership arrived in July 2024, followed by the port’s formal dedication to the nation in May 2025. Although initially designed to handle one million TEUs annually, Vizhinjam crossed that mark in just ten months. In its first year alone, the port handled 615 vessels and 1.32 million containers. December 2025 saw particularly strong activity, with 1.21 lakh TEUs processed and calls by some of the world’s largest, deep-draft container ships.

Union Minister for Shipping, Ports and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said Kerala holds a strategic position in India’s maritime future, describing the state as a crucial bridge between India and global trade routes. He added that shipping and ports have gained renewed strategic focus under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Vizhinjam standing out as a symbol of this transformation due to its strong operational performance.

Phase II of the port will significantly scale up capacity. The container berth is set to expand from 800 metres to 2,000 metres, making it the longest in the country, while the breakwater will extend from 2.96 km to 3.88 km. The upgrade includes the addition of 12 ship-to-shore cranes and 27 yard cranes, enabling the port to handle ultra-large container vessels carrying up to 28,840 TEUs and accommodate five motherships at the same time.

Sonowal also highlighted that Vizhinjam has set a national precedent by becoming the first Indian port to deploy women as automated crane operators.

With immigration clearance already in place and road connectivity to the national highway completed, Vizhinjam is now positioned to transition from a national transshipment terminal into a full-fledged international hub, reinforcing Kerala’s growing role in global maritime trade.