Author name: adminUser

Written By: Team GSL | 24 Nov 2024 Vizhinjam Kerala’s “Golden coast” The Vizhinjam International Seaport, Trivandrum, handled over 1 Lakh TEUS Processed in a Phenomenal 4-Months. In an impressive demonstration of operational prowess, Vizhinjam International Seaport in Thiruvananthapuram has processed over one lakh TEUS within just four months, underscoring the port’s strategic significance as a cornerstone of India’s maritime future. TEU or twenty-foot equivalent unit is a general unit of cargo capacity. With a record-breaking 46 ships docking at Vizhinjam- including some of the largest cargo vessels worldwide-the port’s rapid ascent is unmistakable. Starting with a modest three vessels in July, arrivals surged to 12 by September, reached 23 in October, and already stand at 8 by early November. This extraordinary growth not only propels Kerala onto the global transshipment stage but has also generated a substantial Rs. 7.4 crore in GST revenue, reinforcing the state’s development trajectory.

Vizhinjam International Seaport, with its around 20-meter draft, is a significant attraction for shipping lines, as major worldwide shipping companies favor ports with an 18-meter or higher draft. A long-cherished dream of the people of Kerala, the Vizhinjam International Seaport has become a reality. Vizhinjam Port, the first deep water container transshipment port in India, has geared up to receive the first container ship and carve its space in the global maritime trade.  The port will have to carve its niche by competing with port majors like Colombo, Singapore, or Port Klang. A cursory glance through the infrastructure and technical prowess of these ports will reveal that Vizhinjam has a long way to go.   This port, with the state of the art infrastructure and facilities, is expected to cater to India’s container transshipment needs, as it can handle the largest of the Mother Ships now in operation. The Government of Kerala is receiving the maiden call of a Mother Ship at the port with a grand ceremony being organized at 10:00 am on 12th July 2024. Anticipated to be completely operational in September/October 2024, Vizhinjam will be India’s first semi-automated port, outfitted with cutting-edge automation and information technology systems, as well as contemporary equipment. Vizhinjam is a popular destination for shipping lines, having a draft of about 20 meters. Even the nearby Cochin and Thoothukudi Port, with drafts of 14.5 m and 14.2 m, respectively, are insufficient. The largest mother ships currently in operation can now be handled by Vizhinajm thanks to its cutting-edge infrastructure. Furthermore, Vizhinjam can lessen the reliance of the EXIM communities on the foreign transshipment hubs of Singapore, Colombo, and Port Klang in Malaysia, given that Indian ports handle about 10% of transshipment cargo out of the total volume of container traffic the ports handle annually.

The first cargo vessel MV. Zhen Hua 15 likely to dock at the Vizhinjam International Seaport on October 15, According to Minister for Ports Shri. Ahammad Devarkovil, Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Kerala and Shri. Sarbananda Sonowal, Hon’ble Union Minister for Ports will receive the maiden vessel. 

Written By: Team GSL | 26 Apr 2023 https://youtu.be/mi2XZlovVEY In a remarkable milestone for Vizhinjam International Seaport, Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Kerala, unveiled the striking NEW LOGO of the Port at a grand ceremony in Thiruvananthapuram on 20th September 2023. WHY VIZHINJAM? A Strategic Location Strategically located just 10 nautical miles from the busy international shipping route connecting Europe, the Persian Gulf and the Far East, Vizhinjam enjoys inherent locational advantages that position it for success as a global transshipment hub. Its proximity to the East-West axis which accounts for a substantial quantum of global maritime trade provides easy access without deviation for the large vessels that form the lifeline of today’s ocean commerce. NATURALLY ADVANTAGED Gifted by nature with a 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. Its curvilinear coast mitigates tsunami impact while the port’s positioning results in only mild erosion, minimizing maintenance costs. With capacity for 18,000+ TEU ships, scalable infrastructure to match cargo growth and minimal siltation, Vizhinjam is future ready. TRANSSHIPMENT HUB Being the southern tip of India, Vizhinjam is strategically poised to emerge as a transshipment hub that can consolidate and transfer Indian and regional origin cargo to mainline vessels at lower costs than routing them via Colombo. By locating a world-class Indian transshipment port right on top of a core international shipping lane, Vizhinjam can unlock lasting maritime and economic advantages for the country.