Rapid Fire
PM Inaugurates Vizhinjam International Seaport
- 03 May 2025
- 2 min read
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Vizhinjam International Seaport (VIS) in Kerala, marking a significant milestone in India’s maritime infrastructure.
- Vizhinjam International Seaport: It is India's first deep-water transshipment port, designed for container and multi-purpose cargo.
- The port is developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) basis.
- Strategic Location: VIS, positioned just 10 nautical miles from major international shipping routes connecting Europe, the Persian Gulf, and the Far East, enhances accessibility for large vessels (depth of 18 to 20 meters).
- Technological Advancement: Vizhinjam seaport, India's first semi-automated port, is equipped with an AI-driven control room and the country's first Indigenous Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS).
- It reduces vessel turnaround times, optimizes traffic flow, and enhances capacity for large ships with real-time updates.
- Economic Impact: The port aims to reduce India's reliance on international facilities, as 75% of transshipment cargo is currently handled abroad.
- By handling transshipment domestically, the port is expected to save India USD 200-220 million in potential revenue loss annually.
- Future Development: The second and third phases of the Vizhinjam port will increase its capacity from 1 million (twenty-foot equivalent units) TEUs to 3 million TEUs annually by 2028.
| Read more: Vizhinjam International Seaport Project |
