THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the Vizhinjam deepwater port in Kerala, marking the launch of India’s first dedicated transshipment hub. Speaking at the event, he said the port’s capacity would triple in the next three years, enabling even the world’s largest cargo vessels to dock seamlessly.
Highlighting its strategic importance, Modi said Vizhinjam would significantly reduce India’s dependence on foreign transshipment hubs—particularly in Colombo and Singapore—where nearly 75% of India’s transshipment currently takes place. This shift, he added, would enhance revenue retention and open up economic opportunities for Kerala.
Built at a cost of ₹8,800 crore, Vizhinjam boasts a natural depth of nearly 20 metres, allowing large ships to berth—something most Indian ports are currently unable to support. Operated by Adani Ports, the project represents a strong public-private partnership and is a critical piece of India’s broader maritime strategy under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor unveiled during the G20 summit.
In a light-hearted moment, the Prime Minister joked about the Adani Group's role in developing the port: “People in Gujarat might be upset to know that after working on ports in Gujarat for 30 years, Adani built such a world-class port in Kerala.”
Modi also underlined the Centre’s achievements in maritime reform over the past decade, noting a 30% reduction in turnaround time for ships at Indian ports. He added that regulatory reforms for Indian seafarers had boosted their numbers from 1.2 lakh in 2014 to over 3.2 lakh today.
The inauguration, held on the birth anniversary of Adi Shankaracharya—Kerala’s iconic philosopher—was steeped in symbolism. Modi invoked Shankaracharya’s teachings on unity, linking them to Kerala’s evolving role in India’s economic and maritime future.
The event comes at a time when Kerala’s economy is grappling with mounting debt and shrinking fiscal space. Modi used the occasion to highlight the Centre’s support for key infrastructure initiatives in the state, such as the long-awaited Kollam and Alappuzha bypasses and the upcoming Kochi shipbuilding and repair cluster.
