After a successful five-month trial, Vizhinjam International Seaport officially commenced commercial operations on Tuesday. The long-awaited milestone marks a significant development for Kerala’s maritime and economic landscape. The port’s initial phase of construction has been completed, with minor work set to be finalized in the coming months.
Ports Minister V N Vasavan highlighted that the completion of the first phase involved collaborative efforts from Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd, Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Ltd, and institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, who collectively ensured that all procedures were followed as per the agreement.
“The port’s operations will pave the way for significant changes in Kerala’s international trade. This achievement will also boost the state’s economic growth,” said Minister Vasavan. The commercial operations were formally initiated based on the supplementary concession agreement signed between the Kerala state government and Adani Ports. Despite some remaining minor work to be completed over the next three months, the commencement of commercial operations will not be affected. The port has already successfully handled 70 cargo ships, including ultra-large mother ships, and managed 147,000 containers during its trial phase. The first phase of the port’s construction has been provisionally certified, with an independent engineer set to issue the provisional completion certificate after further assessments. The port’s operations are expected to play a vital role in enhancing Kerala’s position in international trade and significantly contribute to the state’s economic development.