**Executive Summary**
The document reports on the inauguration of capacity augmentation works at the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala by Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal. This fast-tracked expansion aims to enhance India's transshipment capacity and maritime competitiveness. The project, aligned with national maritime objectives, targets completion by December 2028.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Inauguration and Purpose:**
* Inauguration of capacity augmentation works for Phases II, III, and IV.
* Project aims to substantially increase India's container transshipment capacity.
* Expansion should strengthen India's maritime infrastructure ecosystem.
* **Port Performance:**
* Phase I commenced operations on December 3, 2024, with a designed capacity of 1 million TEUs.
* Port has handled over 1.43 million TEUs, operating at over 130% capacity utilisation.
* Provides direct connectivity to major global shipping routes.
* **Expansion Details:**
* Existing container berth to be extended to 2 kilometers (longest in India).
* Breakwater extended to 3.88 kilometers.
* Additional container yards to be developed through sea reclamation.
* Cargo handling capacity to be strengthened with ship-to-shore and yard cranes, handling vessels up to 28,000 TEUs.
* Port will handle up to five mother vessels simultaneously, with 5.7 million TEUs annual throughput capacity.
* **Project Details:**
* Supplementary Concession Agreement signed in November 2024.
* Project completion targeted by December 2028.
* Total investment is approximately ₹16,000 crore, including ₹7,398 crore for expansion phases.
* **Strategic Alignment:**
* Aligned with Maritime Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
* Aims to create a resilient and competitive maritime sector.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Government of Kerala**
* **Impact:** Involved in the project's development and benefits from the enhanced port capacity.
* **Action Required:** Continued collaboration and support for the project's timely completion.
**Stakeholder: Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Limited**
* **Impact:** Responsible for undertaking the capacity augmentation works and operating the port.
* **Action Required:** Ensure timely completion of the project by December 2028 as per the Concession Agreement.
**Stakeholder: Indian Container Ports**
* **Impact:** Vizhinjam port already serving them as transshipment port. With completion of phase 2, to become the transshipment hub of the whole world including Asia, Europe, America and Africa.
* **Action Required:** N/A
**Stakeholder: Indian Economy and Maritime Sector**
* **Impact:** The augmentation is to reduce reliance on foreign transshipment hubs, improve logistics efficiency, support external trade growth, and strengthen India's global trade position.
* **Action Required:** N/A
Key Entities Referenced
Vizhinjam International Seaport: A transshipment port in Kerala, India, undergoing capacity augmentation to enhance its role in global maritime trade.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The primary governing body overseeing the Vizhinjam International Seaport project.
Kerala: The state where the Vizhinjam International Seaport is located, playing a vital role in India's maritime future.
Maritime Vision 2030: A national objective aligned with the development of Vizhinjam International Seaport.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Shri Sarbananda Sonowal Inaugurates Capacity
Augmentation Works of Vizhinjam International
Seaport in Kerala
Fast-tracked expansion to enhance India’s transshipment
capacity and maritime competitiveness
“The spectacular success of Vizhinjam Port is a result of
Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi’s grand vision of exploring
India’s large Maritime sector”- Sarbananda Sonowal
“With strong port infrastructure and efficient waterways
systems, Kerala is well positioned to play a vital role in
shaping India’s maritime future”- Union Minister Sonowal
प्रव तथ: 24 JAN 2026 8:31PM by PIB Delhi
The Hon’ble Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, on Saturday
inaugurated the capacity augmentation works of Vizhinjam International Seaport at Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala. The event was held in the presence of Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Kerala,
senior State and Central Government officials, and representatives of the concessionaire.
The inauguration marked the commencement of construction works for Phases II, III and IV of the
Vizhinjam International Seaport, which are being implemented under a fast-tracked and integrated
development programme. The expansion aims to substantially augment India’s container transshipment
capacity and strengthen the country’s maritime infrastructure ecosystem.
Vizhinjam International Seaport commenced commercial operations of Phase I on 3 December 2024 with
a designed capacity of 1 million TEUs. Within a short period of operation, the port has demonstrated
strong performance, handling over 1.43 million TEUs and operating at more than 130 per cent capacity
utilisation. The port has established direct connectivity with major global shipping routes across Europe,
the Americas, Africa and the Far East, reinforcing its role as a key national transshipment terminal.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “The rapid operationalisation and expansion of
Vizhinjam International Seaport reflects India’s focused approach towards building world-class port
infrastructure. He stated that the capacity augmentation will play a critical role in reducing India’s
dependence on foreign transshipment hubs, improving logistics efficiency, and supporting the growth of
India’s external trade.”Under the capacity augmentation programme, the existing container berth will be extended to create a
continuous 2-kilometre-long container berth, the longest in India. The breakwater will be extended to 3.88
kilometres, and additional container yards will be developed through sea reclamation. The port’s cargo
handling capacity will be strengthened through the addition of ship-to-shore and yard cranes, enabling the
handling of next-generation container vessels of up to 28,000 TEUs. On completion, the port will be
capable of handling up to five mother vessels simultaneously, with an operational throughput capacity of
up to 5.7 million TEUs per annum.
The capacity augmentation works are being undertaken pursuant to a Supplementary Concession
Agreement signed in November 2024 between the Government of Kerala and Adani Vizhinjam Port
Private Limited, advancing the project timeline by nearly 17 years, with completion targeted by December
2028. The total investment envisaged for the Vizhinjam International Seaport project is approximately
₹16,000 crore, including about ₹7,398 crore for the expansion phases.
The Union Minister further noted that the development of Vizhinjam International Seaport is aligned with
the national objectives under Maritime Vision 2030 and the Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, and will contribute to
the creation of a resilient, efficient and globally competitive maritime sector.
Speaking on the occasion, the Hon’ble CM of Kerala, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan said, “Vizhinjam is currently
serving mainly Indian Container Ports as a Transhipment port. With the completion of Phase 2
development, Vizhinjam will become the transhipment hub of the whole world including continents of
Asia, Europe, America and Africa.”
With the commencement of the capacity augmentation works, Vizhinjam International Seaport is set to
progress towards becoming a regional transshipment hub, strengthening India’s position in global
maritime trade and supporting long-term economic growth.*****
PN/IY
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इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Malayalam