Vizhinjam International Seaport Thiruvananthapuram

Vizhinjam International Seaport Thiruvananthapuram
MSC Claude Girardet the largest vessel to berth in South Asia, berthed at Vizhinjam International Seaport Thiruvananthapuram
Map
Native name
വിഴിഞ്ഞം അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര തുറമുഖം
തിരുവനന്തപുരം
Location
Country India
LocationVizhinjam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Coordinates8°22′21″N 76°59′55″E / 8.37250°N 76.99861°E / 8.37250; 76.99861
UN/LOCODEIN NYY
Details
Opened
  • October 2023
    (Partially operational)[1]
  • July 2024 (Under Trial Run)
  • Sep 2024
    (Phase one completion expected)[2]
Operated byVizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL) & Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt Ltd (AVPL)
Owned byGovernment of Kerala
Type of harbourAll-Weather,[3]
Multipurpose,[3] Green[4],Deep-Draft, Deep-Water Mega Seaport
No. of berths2 (2024)[5]
Depth23 m (75 ft)+[6][7]
Statistics
Website
www.vizhinjamport.in

The Vizhinjam International Seaport Thiruvananthapuram (English pronunciation: /vɪzɪnˈdʒam ˌɪntərˈnæʃənl ˈsiːpɔːt ˌtɪrʊvənənˈtɑːpʊrəm/ ⓘ, VIZH-in-jam in-ter-NASH-uh-nuhl SEE-port thir-uh-vuh-nuh-thuh-PUR-uhm) is India's first deep water container transshipment port,[8] currently under trial run from July 2024. Located in Vizhinjam in the city of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, the port is designed to be a multi-purpose, all-weather, green port located 15 kilometres (9.3 mi)[9] away from the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.[10] It is poised to become India's first automated port[11] and holds a unique position as the only Indian port directly adjacent to an international shipping lane. The port's location offers a significant advantage: it lies just 10 nautical miles (19 km)[12] from the heavily trafficked east-west shipping channel connecting Europe, the Persian Gulf, Southeast Asia, and the Far East (Suez- Far East route and Far East - Middle East route). The port has a natural depth of 24 meters, which reduces the need for dredging, and possesses the capability to host many of the world's massive cargo ships, including those exceeding 24,000 TEU, such as vessels of the ULCS container ships like the MSC Irina. The cruise berth under construction along the breakwater will be able to handle large cruise ships such as the Icon of the seas. The Seaport's location offers an advantage as it is situated near an international shipping channel, facilitating connections to global trade routes. When fully commissioned, it is expected that the seaport may have the capacity to cater to 50 percent of the container transhipment needs of India that currently take place at Dubai, Colombo and Singapore.[13] The first phase of the project amounts to ₹8,867 crore (US$1.1 billion or €1.1 billion),[14] and the remaining phases cost ₹20,000 crore (US$2.4 billion or €2.5 billion)[15] making the total cost ₹28,867 crore (US$3.5 billion or €3.5 billion).

The port's location near the southern tip of the Indian coastline provides access to various other Indian ports on both the eastern and western coasts. The port's breakwater has a height of 7.5 meters above the waterline and extending 22 meters below. The current length of breakwater is 3.1 kilometers, and will be extended to 4.5 kilometers in the final phase.[16] The STS Super Post-Panamax crane has specifications that include an outreach of 72 meters, a back reach of 20 meters, a rail gauge of 35 meters, and a total lifting height of 74 meters.This is the tallest STS crane in India[17] A railway connection is planned for Vizhinjam Seaport, which will include the construction of what is projected to be the third longest railway tunnel in India. This development aims to enhance the port's connectivity with the national railway network, facilitating efficient cargo transportation.[18]

Each berth has the capacity to handle 24,000 TEU. The Port is located on the Arabian Sea – Laccadive Sea – Indian Ocean and the first phase is expected to be commissioned in Dec 2024. It is a state owned port, owned by the Government of Kerala and will be operated by the Adani Group for a period of 40 years.

Vizhinjam International Seaport is expected to have an impact on existing cargo movement to other ports and will cater to transshipment. The majority of containers originating from or destined for India are typically transshipped or subjected to double handling at international ports such as Colombo in Sri Lanka, Salalah in Oman, Port of Jebel Ali in Dubai and Singapore Port. Vizhinjam Seaport will primarily engage in competing with these international ports for container transshipment activities. The development of the port will be carried out in three phases, and the first phase is expected to get completed by September 2024. It is proposed to follow the landlord port model, with the intention of catering for passenger, container and other cargo shipping.[19]

  1. ^ M.K, Nidheesh (18 October 2023). "Vizhinjam: The port that almost wasn't built". mint.
  2. ^ "Vizhinjam Port to be fully commissioned at May 2024". India Times.
  3. ^ a b "First vessel docks at Vizhinjam port: Exploring its characteristics and history". English.Mathrubhumi. 15 October 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  4. ^ "Vizhinjam beckons world's biggest container ships". Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  5. ^ "Kerala: Vizinjam port to be officially known as 'Trivandrum International Sea Port'". Asianet News. 10 April 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  6. ^ https://www.vizhinjamport.org/index.php/cms/vizhinjam
  7. ^ https://kmb.kerala.gov.in/en/ports/vizhinjam-port
  8. ^ "Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal receives First Mother Ship at Vizhinjam- India's first deep water Container Transhipment Port". pib.gov.in.
  9. ^ "DPR" (PDF). Adani Ports. Adani Ports and SEZ. 31 March 2023. p. 45. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  10. ^ "Draft EIA Report for Vizhinjam Port (Phase III)" (PDF). Vizhinjam Port Official Website. L&T, VISL, Government of Kerala. 15 June 2021. p. 36. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  11. ^ "Shipment of Quay Cranes for the Adani Vizhinjam Port Project in India-Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co., Ltd". www.zpmc.com.
  12. ^ "Environment compliance Report" (PDF). Adani Ports. VISIL, Government of Kerala. 15 June 2021. p. 45. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  13. ^ "Explainer: Vizhinjam port in Kerala and its potential in India's maritime trade". Hindustan Times. 12 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  14. ^ "Adani, Kerala to fast track Vizhinjam port completion with ₹20,000 crore investment". www.fortuneindia.com. 3 July 2024.
  15. ^ "Adani Group to invest Rs 20,000 crore in Vizhinjam port's remaining phases - ET EnergyWorld".
  16. ^ "Integrated Port Master Plan Report" (PDF). vizhinjam port official website. AECOM for Government of Kerala. 15 June 2021. p. 7. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  17. ^ Network, Maritime News (13 November 2023). "Second Project Vessel with India's Biggest STS Crane Berths at Vizhinjam Port".
  18. ^ Kallungal, Dhinesh (12 July 2023). "Vizhinjam railway tunnel, third longest tunnel in country, to adopt Austrian tunnelling method". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  19. ^ Manoj, P. (2 September 2016). "Move to landlord port model means privatizing state-run cargo berths". mint. Retrieved 12 October 2023.