In News:

The Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala is set to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister, marking a significant milestone in India’s maritime infrastructure.

Key Highlights

• Location: Situated at Vizhinjam, near Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala.
• Type: India’s first dedicated transshipment port and semi-automated seaport.
• Development Model: Built under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model at an estimated cost of ?8,900 crore. The port is operated by the Adani Group, while the Kerala Government retains majority ownership.

Technical Features

• Deepest Breakwater in India: Spanning about 3 km with a natural depth of ~20 metres, enabling accommodation of large container vessels.
• Minimal Littoral Drift: Reduced sediment movement along the coast helps lower maintenance costs significantly.
• AI-Powered Vessel Traffic Management: India’s first indigenous VTMS system developed in collaboration with IIT Madras.
• Advanced Automation:
  • Fully automated yard cranes.
  • Remotely operated ship-to-shore cranes for efficient and safe cargo handling.

Strategic Importance

• Proximity to Global Shipping Lanes: Located just 10 nautical miles from a key international East-West shipping route.
• Boost to Domestic Transshipment:
  • Currently, around 75% of India’s transshipment traffic is handled by foreign ports such as Colombo and Singapore.
  • Vizhinjam is expected to reduce foreign exchange outflows and increase India's share in global maritime trade.
• International Connectivity: The port is now connected to global maritime hubs like Shanghai, Singapore, and Busan.

Future Prospects

• Multi-Modal Integration:
  • Direct linkage to National Highway-66 (NH-66).
  • Kerala’s first cloverleaf interchange for seamless traffic movement.
  • An upcoming railway link to integrate the port with the national railway grid.
• Vision: Aims to become a major multi-modal logistics hub supporting India’s broader maritime and trade ambitions under Sagarmala and PM Gati Shakti initiatives.