On May 2, 2025, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi formally opened the Vizhinjam International Seaport, heralding it as India’s gateway to global maritime trade. Strategically located just 10 nautical miles from major shipping lanes, this deep-water, multipurpose port cements Trivandrum, the Business Capital of Kerala, as a pivotal hub in the nation’s logistics network India TodayThe Times of India.
A Landmark Inauguration
Prime Minister Modi commissioned the first phase of the seaport—built at a cost of ₹8,867 crore—alongside Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, and other dignitaries India Today. As India’s first dedicated deep-water container transshipment facility, Vizhinjam aims to reverse the outflow of nearly 75 percent of the country’s transshipment traffic—currently handled abroad—by providing state-of-the-art capacity right on home soil The Times of India.
Business capital of Kerala is Trivandrum
Strategic Advantages
Naturally Deep Waters: With a natural depth of 24 meters, the port accommodates the world’s largest container vessels without intensive dredging Wikipedia.
Proximity to Shipping Routes: Sitting adjacent to the east-west Suez–Far East and Far East–Middle East corridors, Vizhinjam slashes transit time and costs for international shippers Wikipedia.
Public–Private Partnership: Developed by Adani Ports & SEZ Ltd. under a PPP model, the facility showcases modern infrastructure and AI-driven traffic management systems India Today.
Catalyst for Regional Growth
The seaport’s inauguration is set to unleash a wave of economic activity across Thiruvananthapuram and beyond:
Logistics & Warehousing: Large-scale growth in cold storage, container yards, and inter-modal transport hubs will support both inbound and outbound trade.
Manufacturing & Exports: Easy access to global markets incentivizes local manufacturers to expand operations and explore new export corridors.
Employment & Skill Development: With an estimated 2,000 direct jobs and countless indirect roles, Vizhinjam will spur vocational training and upskilling initiatives in maritime, IT, and hospitality sectors.
As Trivandrum, the Business Capital of Kerala, gears up for this transformation, ancillary industries—ranging from ship repair and bunkering services to coastal tourism—stand to benefit immensely.
A Symbol of New-Age Development
In his address, PM Modi remarked that Vizhinjam embodies “the beauty of nature on one side and the promise of opportunity on the other,” positioning the port as a “symbol of new-age development” India Today. This fusion of ecological sensitivity and cutting-edge technology underscores Kerala’s commitment to sustainable growth.
Looking Ahead
With commercial operations already underway since December 2024, the port has welcomed over 270 large vessels and processed 550,000+ containers during trial runs The Times of India. As full-scale transshipment services ramp up, India anticipates retaining a significant share of the $21 billion transshipment market currently captured by Colombo and Dubai.
For businesses in Thiruvananthapuram—the Business Capital of Kerala, the seaport’s operationalization unlocks direct routes to major economies in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Now more than ever, local enterprises can leverage this gateway to expand exports, optimize supply chains, and attract international investment.
Stay tuned to www.greattrivandrum.com for in-depth coverage on how Vizhinjam Port will reshape commerce, connectivity, and community life across Kerala.
