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Tag: Vizhinjam Port

  • Adani’s Vizhinjam Port Puts India in World League

    Adani’s Vizhinjam Port Puts India in World League

    The Vizhinjam International Seaport has created over 5,000 direct jobs and will significantly boost the industry, commerce, transportation, and tourism sectors…reports Asian Lite News

    India’s first semi-automated container port, the Vizhinjam International Seaport on Thursday welcomed its first mothership, ‘San Fernando’. The Ship was welcomed by Kerala’s Minister of Ports V N Vasavan and Minister for Food and Civil Supplies G R Anil along with other officials at the port.

    The San Fernando, carrying over 1,000 containers, is anchored at the port as part of a trial run ahead of the commencement of commercial operations.

    The Vizhinjam International Seaport has been built by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd, (APSEZ). The port is built with a total investment of Rs 8,867 crore. The state government of Kerala has contributed about Rs 5,595 crore while the central government contributed Rs 818 crore for the port.

    Built on the public-private partnership, Vizhinjam International Port’s construction started in 2016. The project was allotted to APSEZ on December 5, 2015, after the Government of Kerala and Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Ltd. (AVPPL) agreed to a concession agreement on August 17, 2015.

    Elated over the arrival of the port’s first containership, the Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan said in a post on X (formerly Twitter), “This Friday (July 12), the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Thiruvananthapuram will host a grand celebration to welcome its first mothership, San Fernando, a Maersk Line Vessel. This event signifies a monumental moment in Kerala’s maritime history and stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment of the Left Democratic Front government to the state’s development.”

    Vijayan appreciated Adani Group saying, “Adani Group, the builders and operators of the port, deserve appreciation for their efforts in ensuring the completion of this project. Vizhinjam Port exemplifies a successful public-private partnership, highlighting the potential of collaborative development. Join us in celebrating this historic achievement that marks a new era of progress and prosperity for Kerala.”

    Last year in October, Karan Adani, Chief Executive Officer of Adani Ports and SEZ Limited (APSEZ) announced that the port would be capable of docking some of the largest container ships in the world and would also emerge as a global bunkering hub, supplying green fuel like hydrogen and ammonia.

    While addressing the inaugural ship docking ceremony at Vizhinjam International Seaport, in October last year Karan Adani said the port has the potential to compete with leading global ports like Colombo, Singapore, Port Klang and Jebel Ali.

    He termed the project as the most challenging project that APSEZ has ever taken and executed.

    “This project was very tough as we had to encounter repeated disruptions from cyclone Ockhi to the super floods of 2018 – a once-in-a-century occurrence, followed by a devastating flood in 2019…the worldwide Covid pandemic unleashed lockdowns and waves of disruption in 2020 and 2021. But we held on,” he had said.

    The Vizhinjam International Seaport has created over 5,000 direct jobs and will significantly boost the industry, commerce, transportation, and tourism sectors. (ANI)

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  • Global Spotlight on Kerala’s Vizhinjam Port

    Global Spotlight on Kerala’s Vizhinjam Port

    Located close to the key shipping routes which include those running through the Suez Canal and Malacca Strait, the port is expected to draw some of the world’s biggest vessels…writes Mahua Venkatesh

    With the inauguration of the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala, India’s maiden mega transshipment container terminal, as the heavy cargo carrier Zhen Hua 15 is unloaded, investments in the nation’s vital ports industry may witness a significant upsurge.

    Not just that, with the operationalization of the state-of-the-art port, India’s voice in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), which has emerged as one of the busiest trade routes of the world, will get amplified.

    Located close to the key shipping routes which include those running through the Suez Canal and Malacca Strait, the port is expected to draw some of the world’s biggest vessels, at a time when the world’s focus on the IOR is rising.

    The docking of large containers and cargo vessels on the Indian port would also boost investments into India, as it calls for “Make in India for the world.” Until now large ships could not dock in India.

    Gulf based news organization the National noted that the opening of the Vizhinjam port will “put India on the map for the world’s biggest container ships.”

    A public private partnership project, the port, owned by the Kerala government will be operated and maintained by Gautam Adani promoted Adani Ports and SEZ (APSEZ).

    APSEZ’s chief executive Karan Adani said the company is looking to further invest Rs 20,000 crore in the Vizhinjam Transhipment Terminal by 2030. The investments will help in expansion of cargo capacity.

    “Global scanner is on Adani, the operationalization of the port would be a booster for him and his company as in this case as the partnership is between the Left Democratic Front government in Kerala and the Adani group,” an industry watcher told India Narrative.

    Hong Kong based South China Morning Post described the new terminal as “another feather in the cap of Gautam Adani’s conglomerate, which faced a scathing short-seller attack in January alleging corporate malfeasance – charges the Adani Group has denied.” “With a dominance that already spans ports, mines, airports and power utilities, Vizhinjam will further cement the billionaire’s status as India’s infrastructure king,” the newspaper said.

    Vizhinjam port.

    The opening of the port will push India’s efforts in catching up with China. Until recently, India’s poor port infrastructure development had impacted its overall economic development. According to a government press statement, the container throughput of Indian ports stood at 17 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) for the period 2020 whereas that for China stood at 245 million TEUs for the same period. The combined container throughput across top 20 major global ports stood at 357 million TEUs during the period 2020.

    The Indian Ocean, connecting Asia, Africa and Australia, is now the focus of the world. Amid the changing geopolitical dynamics, it will be critical for India to strengthen its presence in the IOR.

    Meanwhile, India is set to organize the third Global Maritime summit from tomorrow. The three day event, to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is expected to provide a fillip and showcase India’s efforts in strengthening its maritime economy and activities.

    (India Narrative)

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