Vizhinjam International Seaport marks One Year of Commercial Operations with Record-Breaking Milestones
THIRUVANANTHPURAM: Vizhinjam International Seaport, developed and operated by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. (APSEZ) in partnership with the Government of Kerala, has completed its first year of commercial operations on 3rd December, 2025 with an extraordinary performance that has redefined India’s maritime capabilities and earned global acclaim.
In a single year, the port has surged ahead with record-breaking growth, unmatched operational efficiency, and milestone vessel calls that position it firmly among the world’s emerging deep-water transshipment hubs.
Celebrated nationwide as the “Wonder Port of India,” Vizhinjam’s debut year stands out for its exceptional speed and scale. It became the fastest Indian port to cross the one-million-TEU mark, achieving this milestone in record time and surpassing its annual capacity within just ten months.
By its first anniversary, the port had handled 615 vessels and 1.32 million TEUs, demonstrating a level of operational consistency rarely seen in a new maritime facility.
Vizhinjam’s ability to attract the world’s largest carriers has been a defining feature of its remarkable year. Between December 2024 and December 2025, the port welcomed 41 ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) measuring more than 399 metres—more than any other port in India.
In total, 154 vessels above 300 metres called at the port, further underscoring its readiness to serve as a global hub for the biggest liners. Among its most significant achievements was the arrival of MSC Verona, with a 17.1-metre draft—the deepest-draft vessel ever handled in South Asia.
The port also hosted MSC Irina, the world’s largest container ship, marking another historic milestone. Moreover, MSC Martina Maria berths at INTRV01, adding to the milestones of first year of commercial operations.
Vizhinjam recorded its highest-ever single-vessel TEU handling when MSC Paloma carried 10,576 TEUs, and set a national benchmark with a Gross Crane Rate of 28.52 in October 2025.
Technology and workforce innovation have been at the heart of Vizhinjam’s rapid ascent. As India’s first semi-automated container port, it delivers global standards of speed and reliability.
Vizhinjam also became the first port in the country to employ women automated crane operators, advancing gender inclusion in maritime operations. Its sophisticated, Made-in-India Vehicle Traffic Management System has streamlined landside routing and reduced turnaround time.
A major pillar of the port’s success lies in its engineering excellence. Vizhinjam boasts one of India’s largest breakwaters—3 km long, 28 metres high and 125 metres wide—combined with natural depths of 18 to 20 metres that allow the berthing of ultra-large vessels without extensive dredging. Minimal littoral drift ensures steady year-round operations, strengthening the port’s reliability.
Strategically positioned along key East–West shipping routes, Vizhinjam is rapidly emerging as India’s premier deep-water transshipment gateway. Its extraordinary first year not only enhances India’s stature in global maritime trade but also accelerates the nation’s journey toward becoming a major logistics and supply-chain power in the region.