Phase two extension of the Vizhinjam seaport, which was dedicated to the country in early May, is expected to begin next month. Phase two, which is anticipated to be finished by 2028, will add a break-bulk berth, a tanker berth, and a bunkering facility on an enlarged 4-km-long breakwater, with the goal of expanding the port’s container capacity to around 4.5 million TEU annually.
The 800-meter-long container ship jetty at Vizhinjam port, which began commercial operations in December 2024 and has handled around 1 million TEUs, can accommodate one container mother ship and two feeder vessels simultaneously.
Phase two will increase the length of the container berth to 2000-m long and hold three mother ships and several feeder vessels at the same time.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated at the opening that 75% of India’s transshipment operations were previously carried out at foreign ports, resulting in a large loss of money for the nation.
Furthermore, Vizhinjam will assist in making sure that Indian funds are used for Indian purposes. According to port officials, the port should increase India’s export competitiveness by reducing logistics costs for Indian manufacturers by 30–40%.
All of the containers the port has handled thus far have been transshipment cargo, with 40% coming from India and 60% from other countries.
Containers departing and arriving in Vizhinjam by rail or road following customs clearance have not been handled by the port.
According to port managers, even as the second phase expansion takes place, export cargo will increase to 20% of total cargo. They are referring to the unique rail line that the Keralan government is laying from Vizhinjam port to Balaramapuram, which should be finished by 2028. According to port managers, a road that connects the port to NH 66 (Mumbai-Kanyakumari) is nearly ready for opening. These would facilitate exim goods and improve Vizhinjam’s inland access by rail and road.
Merchant ships involved in international trade require crew replacements on a regular basis.