Adani Ports Welcomes First Mother Ship at Vizhinjam Port

On July 12, 2024, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited announced in a stock exchange filing the arrival of the first mother ship at its Vizhinjam port. This milestone event marks India’s entry into global transshipment, positioning Vizhinjam as a significant player in international trade routes and ushering in a new era in India’s maritime history.

The event was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, and presided over by Shri V. N. Vasavan, the Minister for Ports, Kerala. The chief guest was Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.

The company stated that this also marks the debut of India’s first automated port with state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities capable of handling large ships. The port features modern container handling equipment and world-class automation and IT systems. The 300-meter-long container vessel San Fernando, operated by Maersk, with a capacity of 8,000-9,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), will be utilising the port’s services to offload about 2,000 containers and manage 400 container movements within the vessel.

Currently, 25% of India’s container traffic is transshipped en route to its destination. Despite India’s rising trade, the country previously lacked a dedicated transshipment port, resulting in 75% of its transshipped cargo being handled by ports outside India.

They added that Vizhinjam would facilitate the movement of transshipment traffic into India. Strategically located, the port will play a pivotal role in handling traffic along major routes connecting India, such as those between the US, Europe, Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and the Far East. This positions Vizhinjam as a critical player in international trade routes.

Commenting on this development, the Managing Director of Adani Ports and SEZ (APSEZ), Karan Adani, said, “San Fernando – now berthed at our harbour is a symbol of a new, glorious achievement in Indian maritime history. It is a messenger that will tell the world that India’s first transhipment terminal and the largest deepwater port has begun commercial operations”.

He also added, “No other port in India – including our own highly advanced Mundra Port – has these technologies. What we have already installed here is South Asia’s most advanced container handling technology. And once we complete the automation and the Vessel Traffic Management System, Vizhinjam will be in a class of its own as one of the most technologically sophisticated transshipment ports in the world.”

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet and is subject to changes. Please consult an expert before making related decisions.