The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, received the first mother ship ‘MV San Fernando,’ marking the commencement of operations at India’s first deep water container transshipment port in Vizhinjam, Kerala, on Friday. This historic event was attended by the Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan.
The MV San Fernando, with a capacity of up to 9,000 TEUs, docked at India’s first automated port, equipped with state-of-the-art technology for rapid vessel turnaround, including the ability to handle megamax containerships. Sonowal highlighted the significance of this milestone, stating, “Today is a historic day for the maritime sector of India as the maiden mothership docks at Vizhinjam, India’s first truly deep water International Container Transshipment terminal. This is a testament to the vision of ‘Make in India,’ where a PPP collaboration among the Government of Kerala, Government of India, and Adani Port SEZ has created a wonderful asset for the growth of India’s maritime sector.”
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is enhancing its port infrastructure to support nation-building. Sonowal emphasised, “This achievement marks the beginning of a new era in the ports sector of the country. This is a big step towards realising the vision of PM Narendra Modi ji of creating world-class port infrastructure in the country. Our ministry, under the visionary guidance of PM Narendra Modi ji, is working towards the execution of Mega Port Projects, including the All Weather Deep Draft Port at Vadhavan in Maharashtra and the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) at Galathea Bay in mission mode.”
Vizhinjam Port is a strategic maritime project located near Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. As the first Greenfield port project in India, initiated by a state government, it represents a significant investment exceeding ₹18,000 crores. Developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode, it is one of the largest initiatives in the country’s port sector. Vizhinjam’s strategic location near international shipping routes significantly reduces transit times for vessels, positioning it as a pivotal point for maritime trade. As one of India’s few natural deep-water ports, it can efficiently accommodate large cargo and container ships.
The development of the Vizhinjam International Seaport is expected to boost Kerala’s economic growth by creating jobs, enhancing trade, and attracting investments. Ongoing infrastructure projects aim to equip the port with state-of-the-art facilities, including modern container terminals, warehouses, and logistics parks. Vizhinjam is set to become a key player in regional trade, potentially serving as a gateway for commerce between Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
Sonowal further added, “Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, India has fast-tracked the development of the ports sector, aiming to become a top maritime global power. Today, with the operationalisation of Vizhinjam port, India is poised to reap the opportunities it creates in the region, fostering healthy competition with Colombo and Singapore transshipment hubs. The government remains committed to enabling and equipping India’s maritime sector, with projects worth more than ₹24,000 crores being implemented in Kerala under the Sagarmala project. This port offers a viable alternative to major shipping lines, helping mitigate disruptions in the global supply chain.”
