Vizhinjam Port: India’s First Semi-Automated Maritime Hub Revolutionizes Trade

Vizhinjam International Seaport, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 2, 2025, stands as India’s first semi-automated port, featuring remote-controlled quay cranes and an AI-powered Vessel Traffic Management System developed with IIT Madras.

Located 14 km from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, this deep-water transshipment hub, developed by Adani Ports under a public-private partnership with the Kerala government, is transforming India’s maritime landscape by reducing reliance on foreign ports like Colombo and Singapore.

Strategically positioned 10 nautical miles from the east-west shipping route connecting Europe, the Persian Gulf, and the Far East, Vizhinjam’s 20-meter natural draft accommodates ultra-large container ships (18,000+ TEUs) without dredging.

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Its eight Rail Mounted Quay Cranes (RMQCs) and 24 Cantilever Rail-Mounted Gantry Cranes (CRMGs), supplied by China’s ZPMC, enable rapid vessel turnaround, handling 593,000 TEUs since July 2024, including 1.08 lakh TEUs in March 2025.

The port’s automation, including India’s tallest STS Super Post-Panamax crane (74m lifting height), boosts efficiency, with nine women operators, many from fishing communities, making history by controlling CRMGs remotely.

Phase 1, completed at Rs 8,867 crore, supports 1 million TEUs annually, with plans to reach 7.2 million TEUs by 2028. Handling 285 ships, including the eco-friendly MSC Türkiye, Vizhinjam captures 70% of India’s transshipment cargo, saving $200-220 million in revenue lost to foreign ports.

Enhanced rail and NH-66 connectivity, including a planned 2028 railway tunnel, will further integrate the port, creating 5,500 jobs and boosting Kerala’s economy, though fisherfolk protests and past delays highlight challenges.

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