The commissioning of the Vizhinjam International Transshipment Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport marks a major step in India's maritime industry, reported London's Maritime Fairplay.

Managed by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd in collaboration with the Kerala government, the port is seen as vital for reducing India's reliance on foreign facilities that currently handle about 75 per cent of its transshipment cargo.

Vizhinjam is strategically located on international shipping routes linking Europe, West Asia and the Far East. With a natural draft of about 20 metres, it can serve ultra-large container vessels without extensive dredging, cutting operational costs.

India's container throughput capacity remains far behind China, which handled 330 million TEU compared with India's 20 million TEU last year. The contrast underscores the need for modern ports such as Vizhinjam to boost national capacity.

The project faced opposition from local fishermen, environmental concerns and delays from natural disasters and the Covid scare. Commercial operations began in July 2024, with 265 ships, including large mother vessels, successfully berthing.