Thiruvananthapuram is set to witness a major milestone in maritime infrastructure as Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launches the construction of Phase 2 for the Adani Group’s Vizhinjam International Seaport on Friday. This ambitious expansion, announced by State Ports Minister V.N. Vasavan, promises to elevate Kerala’s standing in the global shipping arena.
Costing a staggering Rs 9,700 crore, Phase 2 will transform Vizhinjam into a powerhouse capable of handling five times the current container volume—from one million TEUs to five million TEUs annually. Key additions include a railway yard, multi-purpose berth, liquid terminal, and tank farm, extending the berth length from 800 meters to 2,000 meters and the breakwater by four kilometers.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal will grace the occasion as chief guest, underscoring the central government’s strategic involvement. ‘This phase will significantly boost capacity, infrastructure, and global competitiveness,’ Vasavan stated, highlighting the port’s recent commercial operations.
Upon completion, Vizhinjam will emerge as India’s largest deep-water transshipment hub, accommodating four mega mother ships simultaneously. The liquid terminal will offer rare bunkering facilities for large vessels on long-haul routes, attracting more traffic along key east-west shipping lanes and generating substantial revenue for the state.
Notably, no additional land acquisition is required; 55 hectares will be reclaimed from the sea. Crane numbers will surge to 100, including 30 ship-to-shore units. The port has already handled over 1.5 million TEUs from 710 ships, establishing direct services to Europe, America, Africa, and Asia.
Vasavan emphasized, ‘Phase 2 propels Vizhinjam from potential to reality, accelerating logistics, jobs, and trade in South India.’ This development cements Kerala’s role as a vital maritime gateway.