Prime Minister inaugurated Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport in Kerala

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Vizhinjam Port, worth Rs 8,800 crore, is India’s first dedicated container transshipment port.

A transshipment port includes terminals, where cargo containers are shifted from one vessel to another before they reach their final destination.
India is also developing a deepwater port at Vadhvan in Maharashtra’s Palghar district and another mega transshipment port is proposed on Great Nicobar Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Vizhinjam Port

Vizhinjam port has been developed in Landlord Model with a Public Private Partnership (PPP) component on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (“DBFOT”) basis.
- Under the landlord model, port authority retains ownership and control of port but actual cargo handling and terminal operations are typically leased to private operators.
This is the first Greenfield port project in India, initiated by a state Government under PPP mode.
Significance:
- Strategic Location: Close to the International East-West shipping route connecting Europe, the Persian Gulf and the Far East.
- Deep Draft: Natural deep draft of nearly 20 meters requiring no capital dredging.
- Curvilinear Coast: Mitigating tsunami impact, minimising maintenance costs.

Foreign Dependence: Currently, nearly 75% of India’s Transshipment cargo is handled at ports outside India, especially at Colombo, Singapore and Klang.
Revenue: Expected to reduce $80–$100 per container cost and $200–220 million annual potential income loss.
Maritime Infrastructure: It aligns with PM Gati Shakti National Logistics Policy and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.