Archive · 30 Jul 2026
Vizhinjam Port: Potential Game Changer for India’s Maritime Trade
Vizhinjam is a new port on India’s Kerala coast that can now handle both imports and exports.
It can take very large ships that carry up to 20,000 containers.
The port is deep enough that ships don’t need extra digging to dock.
It is close to a busy shipping lane, so goods can move quickly to other parts of India.
Because it is a customs port, it can keep more money in India and help local businesses grow.
Vizhinjam International Transshipment Seaport has been notified as a customs port, allowing direct import and export operations.
The port handles only full containers; no container freight station or loose cargo is allowed.
Ownership is split: 61.5% Kerala government, 28.9% Adani Ports & SEZ Ltd, 9.6% Union government.
Its natural depth of 18–20 m lets it accommodate 20,000‑TEU vessels without dredging, and it lies 10 nautical miles from the East‑West shipping lane.
Since July 2024, the port has handled 2 million TEUs in 18 months and plans to expand capacity to 7.4 million TEUs.
- Who
- Adani Ports & SEZ Ltd, Government of Kerala, Union Government
- What
- Vizhinjam International Transshipment Seaport notified as a customs port, enabling direct import and export operations
- When
- Port began operations in July 2024; customs notification effective from that date
- Where
- Vizhinjam, Kerala coast, Arabian Sea, India
- Why
- To reduce dependence on foreign transshipment hubs, cut logistics costs, and boost India’s maritime trade competitiveness
- Port Status
- Customs port (since July 2024)
- Ownership
- 61.5% Kerala government, 28.9% Adani Ports & SEZ Ltd, 9.6% Union government
- Depth
- 18–20 metres
- Capacity
- 1 million containers per annum (expandable to 7.4 million)
- Location
- 10 nautical miles from East‑West shipping lane, Kerala coast