Prime Minister Modi formally inaugurated Vizhinjam Sea Port
(Shankar Raj)
Thiruvananthapuram: India created maritime history when Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially commissioned the Vizhinjam International Seaport, Friday, marking the formal launch of one of India’s most ambitious maritime AI assisted automated infrastructure projects. Constructed at a cost of Rs 7,600 crore under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, the project is being executed by Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd., with funding from the Union, Kerala governments, and the developer.
Vizhinjam was the dream project of former Congress chief minister Oommen Chandy, but it was called a disaster project by the Left parties which opposed it tooth and nail. But today, the Left front has claimed credit for a project which they had tried to torpedo.
FROM SCAM TO PET BABY
At the port’s trial operations launch in July 2024, Pinarayi Vijayan made no mention of Chandy or the Congress’ contributions, instead highlighting the LDF’s efforts. Ironically, when the Congress signed the deal with Adani Ports in 2015, the CPM — then in Opposition — had vehemently opposed the project, calling it a Rs 6,000 crore scam that endangered the lives and livelihoods of coastal communities.
Today, the ‘scam’ is the LDF’s pet baby.
The port’s journey has also been marred by intense resistance from the local fishing community. Beginning on June 5, 2022, which was the World Environment Day, the agitation was spearheaded by the Thiruvananthapuram Archdiocese of the Latin Catholic Church.
Friday’s inauguration was also marked by political overtones when Modi said Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s presence at the event is bound to give sleepless nights for his bosses in Delhi.
The remarks come amid growing speculation about Tharoor’s position within the Congress party, particularly in Kerala, where he has increasingly emphasized his individual stature, setting himself apart from the state’s party leadership.
A SURPRISE FROM MODI
Surprisingly, the PM referred to Pinarayi as the pillar of the INDIA Bloc – an obvious message to Tamil Nadu CM Stalin. Though Pinarayi is nowhere near in staking claims to lead the Bloc, the remark did leave many wonderings as the BJP is fighting the CPM in Kerala.
The inauguration was also mired in political controversy. Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan of the Congress boycotted the event, accusing the LDF government of taking sole credit while ignoring the foundational role played by the United Democratic Front (UDF) administration.
Meanwhile, greeting the audience in Malayalam, Modi said the port would help promote economic sustainability for Kerala and its people. The Union government would work alongside the Kerala government to transform the state into a hub for global maritime trade, he added.
PROUD MOMENT
The Kerala Chief Minister said “This is a proud moment for all of us, as the commissioning of this port marks the dawn of a modern era.”
“This port will emerge as the most important in the country and will attract global attention. Adani Ports deserves congratulations — not just for building a port, but for opening India’s maritime gateway for the third millennium,” said Pinarayi.
“Today, 75 per cent of transhipment containers are routed through other ports. From now on, they will come here,” he said.
The port is being developed under a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) model, with Adani Ports holding a 40-year operational agreement.
Trial operations at the port began on July 13, 2024, and commercial operations commenced on December 3, 2024.
Apart from PM Modi and CM Pinarayi, several dignitaries including Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arleka, State Ports Minister VN Vasavan, Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani and Chief Executive Officer Karan Adani, Union Ministers Suresh Gopi and George Kurian.
RECORDS TUMBLE
The Kerala government has allotted 500 acres of land for the project, with a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) agreement signed as recently as April 2025.
As of May 2025, the Vizhinjam International Seaport stands as a testament to India’s maritime ambitions:
The port commenced trial operations in July 2024, receiving its first mothership, the San Fernando. In September 2024 and April 2025, it welcomed the MSC Claude Girarde and MSC Turkiye, listed among world’s ultra large container vessels and largest vessels ever visited an Indian Port.
Since start operation, the Port has handled more than 280 vessels and 6 Lakh TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units).
Sources said the port boasts a natural deep draft of 18m close to shore that requires no capital dredging. Vizhinjam can leverage its natural depth to host even ultra-large next-gen container ships requiring 20m+ drafts.
It features India’s tallest ship-to-shore cranes and is equipped with AI-powered vessel traffic management systems.
Situated just 10 nautical miles from the international east–west shipping route, Vizhinjam is poised to become a pivotal transshipment hub, reducing India’s reliance on ports like Colombo, Singapore, and Dubai.
(The author is a senior journalist based in Kerala)
