On May 2, 2025, Kerala will witness the formal commissioning of the Vizhinjam International Seaport by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The inauguration ceremony is scheduled for 11 AM at a specially prepared venue within the port complex. Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, state ministers, and other dignitaries will also participate in the grand event. The official program is currently being finalized.
Commercial operations at Vizhinjam Port began in December 2024, and it has since seen remarkable growth. In a short span, the port has handled over 5.36 lakh containers across 263 ships. Notably, the world’s largest container ship, MSC Turkey, docked at the port recently. In March, the port set a new benchmark by processing more than 100,000 TEUs from 51 vessels, making it a leading cargo handler in South India.
Infrastructure upgrades are also underway. The 1.7-kilometer port access road connecting to National Highway 66 is nearing completion, pending final approval from the National Highways Authority. Additionally, Konkan Rail has been assigned to construct a rail tunnel linking the port.
The Vizhinjam project will see further expansion in phases 2 and 3, with investments totaling ₹9,600 crore, slated for completion by December 2028. Approximately 77.17 hectares of sea area will be reclaimed—avoiding any private land acquisition—for yard development. The container terminal will be extended to 2,000 meters, and upon completion of all phases, the port will have the capacity to handle 4.5 million containers annually.
