Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Vizhinjam Port Begins EXIM Operations, Launches Mission Samudra
Kerala has a huge new seaport called Vizhinjam.
It is very deep, so giant ships that carry thousands of boxes of goods can visit it.
Recently, the port started sending things to other countries for the first time.
The first boxes were full of tasty Kerala food like idli, sambar and banana fritters.
These foods are going to countries in Europe.
The Chief Minister of Kerala helped start this big day.
He also announced a plan called Mission Samudra.
The plan is to build more ports, warehouses and roads near the sea.
This will help Kerala sell things like cashew nuts and coconut products all over the world.
The leaders hope the port will bring jobs and money to the state.
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan flagged off two containers from Vizhinjam International Seaport, commencing export-import (EXIM) operations.
The Chief Minister also launched 'Mission Samudra', a port-led industrial and logistics development scheme for Kerala.
The first EXIM consignments carried traditional Kerala food products, including idli, sambar and banana fritters, destined for European markets.
The port, developed by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), has a 2.3-million-TEU capacity that could cater to around 30 percent of India's container market.
Satheesan acknowledged that delayed road and rail connectivity over the past decade cost the state gains, but pledged to fulfill missed government obligations on a time-bound basis.
The port was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 2, 2025, while its estimated project cost is reported as Rs 8,867 crore.
- Who
- Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty, Congress MLA M Vincent, and Adani Vizhinjam Port CEO Ashwani Gupta.
- What
- Commencement of export-import (EXIM) operations at Vizhinjam International Seaport and the launch of the 'Mission Samudra' maritime development scheme.
- When
- Tuesday; the port was earlier inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 2, 2025.
- Where
- Vizhinjam International Seaport, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
- Why
- To enable goods to be shipped directly from Kerala to any port in the world and transform the state into a port-based maritime economy and gateway.
- Port
- Vizhinjam International Seaport (deep-water transshipment port)
- Developer
- Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), part of the Adani Group, under public-private partnership
- Estimated project cost
- Rs 8,867 crore (one article reports investment of more than Rs 7,700 crore)
- Phase II investment
- Rs 16,000 crore planned by the Adani group
- Container capacity
- 2.3 million TEU, around 30 percent of India's container market
- Port inauguration
- May 2, 2025, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Commercial commissioning certificate
- December 2024
- First EXIM cargo
- Traditional Kerala food products (idli, sambar, banana fritters) bound for European markets
