Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL), India’s first completely automated deep water transshipment port, was officially launched into operation on May 2 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The port was constructed at a cost of Rs 8,867 crore. The Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited has carried out the multipurpose project, which is entirely owned by the Kerala government with assistance from the Union government. Although the state administration views VISL as a starting point for Kerala’s economic development, the “presence of China” is what really sticks out.

Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Engineering Company Limited (ZPMC) has supplied all 32 fully automated cranes for the port operations, including 24 rail-mounted gantry/yard cranes and 8 rail-mounted quay/ship-to-shore cranes used for loading and unloading containers from ships to docks. It was established in 1992 and is a fully-owned subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company, a state-owned business. In addition to the cranes, ZPMC has provided Vizhinjam with a wide range of operating sub-systems associated to the terminal, including refrigeration and container management software, as well as guaranteed spare parts and maintenance.

In the quay/ship-to-shore crane market, ZPMC has a 70% market share and is present in over 106 countries. This occurred despite rivals accusing the company of copying their designs, which Guan Tongxian, the company’s creator, eventually acknowledged.

ZPMC’s profile was further elevated with the start of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). ZPMC claimed to have equipment at 270 ports worldwide, which helped the company’s stock rise as infrastructure development emerged as the BRI’s central component.