Vizhinjam next phase: Capital set to become a shipping city

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the completion of the next stages of the Vizhinjam port project, the capital will emerge as a major shipping city. The expansion of the berth from the present 800 metres to 2,000 metres will allow multiple large vessels to handle cargo simultaneously. The port’s annual capacity will increase to 50 lakh containers. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the next phase of construction on the 24th.

Adani Group will invest up to Rs 15,000 crore in phases two to four, which are scheduled to be completed by December 2028. No government funding will be required, and no private land acquisition is needed. With the launch of EXIM cargo services enabling imports and exports, Kerala’s economy is expected to see significant growth. Employment opportunities will be created in sectors such as logistics, warehousing, cold and cool chains, and container repair. Facilities, including a railway yard, multipurpose berth, liquid terminal, and tank farm, will also be developed.

The 250-metre liquid cargo berth will provide bunkering facilities for ships to refuel. The multi-purpose berths can handle the unloading of rice, coal, machinery parts and other goods. Agricultural produce, including cashew, can also be imported. Exports will include processed fish, vegetables, fruits, honey, flowers, agricultural products, spices, and Kudumbashree products.

Currently, exports from Kochi take 60-65 days to reach the United States and about 40 days to Europe. With direct services from Vizhinjam, shipping time will be reduced to around 35 days to the US and 22 days to Europe. The arrival of luxury cruise ships is also expected to boost tourism up to Alappuzha.

Ships will wait for berths

• Large vessels will line up waiting for berthing slots at Vizhinjam, and cargo handling will become faster.

• At present, only one mothership and one feeder vessel, or three feeder vessels, can dock at a time.

• With the next phase, the port will become an integrated logistics hub.

• Once the berth length is expanded to 2,000 metres, container yard capacity will double. The number of cranes will increase from 32 to 60.

• Multipurpose berths will be able to handle crude oil, fuel, and LNG.

Over the past year, 11.66 lakh containers were handled at the port. A total of 542 ships called at Vizhinjam, including 23 ultra-large vessels.

“Most of South India’s imports and exports will pass through Vizhinjam,” said Ports Minister V N Vasavan.