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The Adani Group-operated Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala has handled over 2 million twenty-foot equivalent units within just 18 months of starting operations, making it the fastest Indian facility to reach this milestone. According to the port operator, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd, Vizhinjam crossed the 1 million TEU mark in August 2025 and has now doubled that figure quickly after trial operations started in July 2024. The port was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2025.
"Vizhinjam International Seaport has become the fastest Indian port to cross both the 1 million TEU and 2 million TEU milestones since beginning operations in 2024," the company stated on Thursday. The port has handled over 950 vessels, including 67 ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs). It has also berthed some of the world’s largest container ships, such as the MSC Irina, noted as the world’s largest container vessel, and the MSC Verona, among the deepest-draft vessels to arrive at an Indian port.
Located about 10 nautical miles from the busy east-west international shipping route, Vizhinjam is becoming a major transshipment hub connecting South Asia, West Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America. The port has a natural draft of around 20 meters, allowing large vessels to dock without significant dredging.
Shipping operators say the location reduces transit time and fuel costs, making the port appealing for global trade routes that are increasingly affected by geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions. For years, a large portion of India's transshipment cargo has been managed at foreign ports. With Vizhinjam expanding quickly, India aims to handle more of this cargo domestically and lessen its dependence on overseas hubs. The port is also expected to grow further. Phase II development is underway with an investment of around Rs 16,000 crore and is slated for completion by 2028. Once finished, the expansion will greatly improve container handling capacity and support full-scale export-import operations.
APSEZ recently announced that it became the first Indian integrated transport utility to handle over 500 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo in a single year.
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Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) has continued its strong growth trajectory by recording double-digit growth in both container traffic and overall cargo handling during the first four months of FY2026-27. The port handled 29,94,859 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of container traffic and 36.62 million tonnes of total cargo between April and July 2026, reaffirming its position as a key gateway for the country’s maritime trade. The latest operational data shows that container throughput grew by 14.37% year-on-year, while overall cargo volumes increased by 11.95% compared with the corresponding period of the previous financial year. The sustained performance reflects JNPA’s continued focus on operational efficiency, infrastructure development and seamless cargo movement across the logistics value chain. According to JNPA, the growth has been driven by improved vessel turnaround time, enhanced cargo handling efficiency, higher terminal productivity and better multimodal connectivity. The collaborative efforts of terminal operators, shipping lines, logistics service providers, customs authorities and other stakeholders have also played a crucial role in sustaining the port’s momentum. The port’s investments in modern infrastructure, digital initiatives and capacity augmentation have enabled it to efficiently manage rising cargo volumes while maintaining reliable and efficient operations. Its integrated road and rail connectivity, supported by ongoing modernisation programmes, continues to strengthen JNPA’s position as one of India’s leading logistics and container handling hubs. Performance highlights released by the authority indicate that JNPA handled 7,45,059 TEUs of containers and 8.78 million tonnes of cargo in July 2026 alone, registering year-on-year growth of 11.48% and 3.18%, respectively. During the April–July period, the port also handled 2,317 container rakes, with rail movement accounting for 391,563 TEUs, underlining the importance of multimodal transport in facilitating efficient cargo evacuation. The encouraging results underscore the resilience of India’s maritime sector and the growing confidence of global shipping lines and trade partners in JNPA’s capabilities. As international trade volumes continue to expand, the port remains focused on enhancing customer experience through faster cargo evacuation, improved logistics efficiency and sustainable port operations. With continued investments in infrastructure and technology, JNPA is well-positioned to support India’s expanding trade ambitions while contributing to the Government’s vision of developing the country into a globally competitive maritime and logistics hub. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) has launched its largest-ever global shipbuilding tender, inviting bids for the construction of six next-generation cellular container vessels with a capacity of 8,000 TEU each. Valued at approximately $720 million, the project marks a significant milestone in India's efforts to modernise its merchant fleet while strengthening the country's shipbuilding ecosystem. The tender comprises a firm order for two vessels and an option for four additional ships. In line with the government's push to promote domestic shipbuilding under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision, Indian shipyards will enjoy the Right of First Refusal (RoFR), enabling them to match the lowest bid submitted by an overseas yard and secure the contract. Designed for long-haul container operations, the new vessels will significantly enhance SCI's fleet capabilities and improve India's presence in global container shipping. The ships are expected to support growing export-import trade, provide greater operational flexibility and reduce dependence on foreign-flagged carriers for international cargo movement. The proposed vessels will feature advanced, environmentally sustainable technologies and are expected to comply with evolving international emission norms. Reports indicate that the ships are being planned with LNG-fuel-ready or alternative-fuel-ready capabilities, reflecting the global maritime industry's transition towards cleaner and more energy-efficient operations. The move aligns with the International Maritime Organization's decarbonisation targets and India's broader green shipping agenda. Industry observers believe the tender is likely to attract participation from leading shipyards in South Korea, Japan and Europe, while also encouraging strategic partnerships between global shipbuilders and Indian yards. Such collaborations could accelerate technology transfer, strengthen local manufacturing capabilities and improve the competitiveness of India's shipbuilding sector. The initiative also complements the Centre's long-term strategy to expand India's commercial fleet and develop indigenous shipbuilding capacity. With containerised trade continuing to grow and supply chains becoming increasingly diversified, investment in modern, fuel-efficient vessels is expected to improve cargo security, lower logistics costs and enhance India's position in global maritime trade. For SCI, the acquisition represents a major fleet expansion initiative aimed at meeting future cargo demand while operating a more efficient and environmentally compliant fleet. As the country's national carrier accelerates its modernisation programme, the tender is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing India's ambitions of becoming a global maritime and logistics hub. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. (APSEZ) is set to develop a 100-acre Container Freight Station (CFS) near the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala, marking another significant investment in strengthening India's export-import (EXIM) logistics infrastructure. The proposed facility is expected to streamline cargo movement, reduce logistics bottlenecks and support the rapid growth of container traffic at the country's first dedicated deep-water transshipment port. The upcoming CFS will function as a vital logistics hub where containers can be consolidated, deconsolidated, stored, customs cleared and dispatched efficiently. By creating an integrated cargo ecosystem outside the port gates, the facility is expected to minimise congestion within the port premises while improving cargo turnaround time for exporters, importers, shipping lines and logistics service providers. The project assumes greater significance as Vizhinjam Port continues to emerge as a strategic maritime gateway on India's southern coast. Located close to the busy East-West international shipping corridor, the port is designed to handle some of the world's largest container vessels and reduce India's dependence on foreign transshipment hubs. The addition of a modern CFS is expected to complement the port's operational capabilities by ensuring seamless hinterland connectivity and faster cargo evacuation. Industry experts believe the new facility will play an important role in improving supply chain efficiency for EXIM businesses operating in southern India. With dedicated infrastructure for container handling, customs processing and value-added logistics services, the CFS is likely to reduce dwell times, optimise inventory movement and lower logistics costs for trade stakeholders. The development also aligns with APSEZ's broader strategy of expanding integrated logistics solutions beyond port operations. By combining port infrastructure with inland logistics assets, the company aims to provide end-to-end supply chain services that enhance customer experience and improve cargo visibility across the logistics network. As cargo volumes at Vizhinjam are expected to increase steadily in the coming years, the proposed 100-acre CFS will provide the supporting infrastructure required to manage higher throughput efficiently. The investment is anticipated to strengthen Kerala's logistics landscape, attract more export-oriented businesses and reinforce Vizhinjam's position as a key gateway for India's international trade. With integrated logistics infrastructure becoming increasingly critical for global competitiveness, the new Container Freight Station represents a strategic step towards building a more resilient, efficient and future-ready EXIM supply chain ecosystem around Vizhinjam Port. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
