Vizhinjam Port Begins EXIM Operations, Opens Gateway for India’s Trade

Kerala took a major step in its global trade journey on Tuesday as Chief Minister V D Satheesan flagged off two containers at Vizhinjam International Seaport, marking the formal commencement of full-scale export-import operations at the deepwater facility, alongside the announcement of a major Phase 2 expansion.

Who was present at the launch?

Satheesan was accompanied by Minister for Industries, Information Technology and Commerce P K Kunhalikutty and Congress MLA M Vincent. The Chief Minister also visited the port and reviewed its operational readiness alongside Kunhalikutty, including a stop at the Vehicle Traffic Management System office as the port began handling full land-based EXIM cargo operations.

What did the Chief Minister say about scaling up EXIM activity?

Satheesan said Vizhinjam is now a gateway to the world, and that the challenge ahead is to make the most of this opportunity through Mission Samudra, with Vizhinjam as its base, alongside stronger road and rail connectivity and greater private investment. He announced that the government will allocate Rs 3,200 crore for land acquisition for the Ring Road, with discussions already underway to attract private investment. He described the Arabian Sea, which has shaped the nation for centuries, as opening a historic door to Kerala’s development.

What did Adani Ports CEO Ashwani Gupta say about the launch?

Addressing the event, Ashwani Gupta, CEO and Whole-Time Director of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, said the port’s transition from a transshipment facility to handling export-import cargo opens a new gateway between India and global markets, allowing more cargo and economic activity to remain within the country. He said nearly one in every three transshipment containers in India now moves through Vizhinjam. “For exporters, whether they are shipping seafood, spices, cashew nuts, engineering goods, Vizhinjam creates a faster and more direct route to international markets,” Gupta said, adding that for MSMEs, every day saved in transit improves competitiveness, cash flows and growth potential. He described the moment as the opening of a new gateway connecting Kerala’s talent, India’s enterprise and the aspirations of millions to global markets, saying the port’s purpose extends beyond cargo movement to serve India’s aspirations for self-reliance, global competitiveness and maritime leadership.

What expansion plans did Gupta announce?

Gupta announced that Phase 2 of the Vizhinjam project will involve an additional investment of Rs 16,000 crore, taking Adani Group’s total investment in the port to around Rs 30,000 crore. The expansion will raise the port’s annual capacity from 1.6 million TEUs to 5.7 million TEUs and include new bunkering facilities, a liquid jetty and an integrated logistics ecosystem. Gupta said the next phase of development would depend partly on completing road and rail connectivity, which could help the port serve businesses across Kerala as well as Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

What did Kerala’s Industries Minister say?

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the event, Minister P K Kunhalikutty said Vizhinjam is going to be a backbone for all of Kerala’s economic activities, including its traditional industries, giving many locally produced goods access to a better market than they have had before.

What is Mission Samudra and how does it connect to this launch?

Alongside the start of EXIM operations, the Kerala government is set to launch Mission Samudra, a port-led industrial and logistics development scheme aimed at supporting the growth of industries, logistics infrastructure and investment around Vizhinjam, building a wider economic ecosystem linked to the port.

What is Vizhinjam’s track record since commissioning?

The port was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2025 and had earlier received its commercial commissioning certificate in December 2024. Developed at a cost of Rs 8,800 crore under a public-private partnership with the Adani Group, Vizhinjam achieved a milestone of handling over 1 million TEUs within nine months of commencing commercial operations, having welcomed more than 460 vessels, including 26 ultra-large container vessels measuring up to 399.99 metres.

What does this mean for India’s transshipment trade?

Vizhinjam’s natural deep draught of nearly 20 metres and its proximity to one of the world’s busiest sea trade routes position it to capture a larger share of India’s transshipment cargo, historically routed through foreign ports such as Colombo and Singapore. With EXIM operations now fully operational and a Rs 16,000 crore expansion underway, the port moves closer to fulfilling its role as a key gateway strengthening Kerala’s and India’s position in global maritime trade.