Question 1

Where is Vizhinjam International Seaport located?

Accepted Answer

Vizhinjam port is located at 8°22'N 76°59'E, approximately 16 km south of Thiruvananthapuram city centre, Kerala, India. It sits at the southern tip of the Indian peninsula, just 10 nautical miles from the world's busiest east-west shipping corridor connecting Europe, the Persian Gulf, and East Asia.

Question 2

What is the purpose of Vizhinjam port?

Accepted Answer

Vizhinjam International Seaport is India's first deep-water transshipment port. Its primary purpose is to serve as an international transshipment hub, reducing India's dependence on foreign ports like Colombo, Singapore, and Jebel Ali — saving the country over $100 million in foreign exchange annually.

Question 3

Who operates Vizhinjam International Seaport?

Accepted Answer

The port is operated by Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt Ltd under a 40-year concession agreement with the Government of Kerala. The project was developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model with Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd (APSEZ) as the concessionaire. Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL), fully owned by the Kerala government, provides supporting infrastructure.

Question 4

When did Vizhinjam port become operational?

Accepted Answer

The port began its trial launch in July 2024, commenced commercial operations in December 2024, and was officially inaugurated on May 2, 2025, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Construction of all phases is expected to be completed by 2028, with full operational status by 2034.

Question 5

What is a transshipment port?

Accepted Answer

A transshipment port acts as a hub where cargo is transferred from large mother vessels to smaller feeder vessels (or vice versa) for onward distribution to regional ports. India previously routed most transshipment cargo through Colombo, Singapore, and Jebel Ali — Vizhinjam now offers an Indian alternative on the same main shipping lane.

Question 6

How far is Vizhinjam port from Trivandrum airport?

Accepted Answer

Vizhinjam port is approximately 19 km from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV). The drive takes roughly 30–45 minutes depending on traffic. A new coastal road and infrastructure corridor is being developed to improve connectivity.

Question 7

What makes Vizhinjam a deep-water port?

Accepted Answer

Vizhinjam has a natural draft of 24 metres — meaning vessels can access the berth without any dredging. This is extremely rare globally and allows the port to accommodate Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) exceeding 24,000 TEU that most other Indian ports cannot handle due to depth limitations.

Question 8

What types of vessels can Vizhinjam handle?

Accepted Answer

Due to its natural depth of 24 metres, Vizhinjam can accommodate Ultra Large Container Ships (ULCS) exceeding 24,000 TEU, as well as multi-purpose cargo vessels and break bulk carriers. The port has already handled mega vessels like MSC Irina, MSC Türkiye, and MSC Michel Cappellini.

Question 9

What is the cargo capacity of Vizhinjam port?

Accepted Answer

The initial phase has a capacity of 1 million TEUs per year. Upon completion of the next expansion phase by 2028, capacity is projected to reach 3 million TEUs annually. The final planned capacity across all phases is 6.2 million TEUs.

Question 10

What types of cargo does Vizhinjam port handle?

Accepted Answer

Vizhinjam primarily handles container transshipment cargo. It is also designed to manage multi-purpose cargo and break bulk cargo. As a semi-automated port, it uses AI-powered Vessel Traffic Management Systems and remotely operated ship-to-shore cranes for efficient operations.

Question 11

What is the breakwater at Vizhinjam port?

Accepted Answer

The port features a 2,960-metre-long breakwater — the deepest ever constructed in India, reaching a depth of 28 metres. This massive structure protects the harbour from rough seas and allows year-round operations along the Kerala coast, which experiences heavy monsoon weather.

Question 12

Does Vizhinjam port require dredging?

Accepted Answer

No. One of the biggest advantages of Vizhinjam is that its natural water depth of 24 metres eliminates the need for regular capital or maintenance dredging. The port also experiences minimal littoral sedimentation, which significantly reduces ongoing operational costs compared to other Indian ports.

Question 13

What automation technology does Vizhinjam use?

Accepted Answer

Vizhinjam is India's first semi-automated port, incorporating AI-powered Vessel Traffic Management Systems, remotely operated ship-to-shore (STS) cranes, automated stacking cranes, and digital terminal management systems for faster, safer, and more efficient cargo handling.

Question 14

How do I list my business on the Trivandrum Seaport directory?

Accepted Answer

The business directory is currently being built. We are accepting expressions of interest from shipping agents, freight forwarders, customs brokers, logistics companies, and maritime service providers. Use the contact form to register your interest and you will be notified when the directory goes live.

Question 15

What economic impact will Vizhinjam have on Trivandrum?

Accepted Answer

Vizhinjam is expected to create approximately 5,000 direct job opportunities. It will also stimulate an industrial corridor around Thiruvananthapuram, promote cruise tourism, attract warehousing and logistics investments, and significantly boost the regional economy of southern Kerala.

Question 16

Can I ship personal cargo through Vizhinjam port?

Accepted Answer

Vizhinjam is primarily a container transshipment port and does not directly accept personal cargo shipments. For personal freight needs, you should contact a registered freight forwarder or customs broker who operates in the region. Our upcoming directory will list such service providers.

Question 17

What shipping routes does Vizhinjam connect to?

Accepted Answer

Vizhinjam sits just 10 nautical miles from the international east-west shipping lane connecting Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia. Its location means mother vessels on this route can call at Vizhinjam with near-zero deviation, making it highly competitive for transshipment compared to India's other ports.

Question 18

Are there customs and clearance facilities at Vizhinjam?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Vizhinjam port has a dedicated customs clearance zone with all necessary CBIC (Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs) infrastructure. The port is working towards implementing a fully paperless, single-window customs clearance system to expedite cargo handling.

Question 19

What is Trivandrum Seaport portal?

Accepted Answer

Trivandrum Seaport (trivandrumseaport.com) is an independent, unofficial community portal that provides the latest updates, cargo information, development news, tenders, and announcements related to Vizhinjam International Seaport. We are not affiliated with Adani Ports or the Kerala government.

Question 20

Is Trivandrum Seaport an official government website?

Accepted Answer

No. Trivandrum Seaport is an independent community-driven information portal. For official port information, please visit vizhinjamport.in (Kerala Government VISL) or the Adani Ports website. We aggregate publicly available information for the convenience of the maritime community.

Question 21

How can I contribute news or updates to this portal?

Accepted Answer

We welcome contributions from the maritime community. If you have news, updates, or press releases related to Vizhinjam port, please submit them via our Contact page. All submissions are reviewed by our editorial team before publication.

Question 22

How accurate is the vessel tracking data?

Accepted Answer

Our vessel data is sourced from publicly available port schedules and may experience delays of 15–60 minutes from real-time conditions. For mission-critical operational decisions, please rely on official port authority communications and certified vessel tracking services.

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