Thiruvananthapuram: The Vizhinjam port is getting ready for commissioning , with the construction of an extended berth almost nearing completion. The new 800m berth will be ready in the next 15-20 days. The transshipment port , developed by Adani Ports , will be able to accommodate two large or three smaller container ships simultaneously.
The existing 600m berth is being expanded by 200 meters and is expected to be completed in time for the port’s commissioning in Oct, according to a port official. The port is currently undergoing testing. The breakwater, for which work has already been completed, and the 800m berth are part of the phase 1 work of the project.
“There is no need for additional cranes, as we now have 32 cranes in the 600m berth. These cranes can be relocated as needed when the extension is completed,” he added. The port's semi-automated systems are designed to speed up loading, unloading, and container handling.
Further expansion of the port will take place in two more phases, ultimately extending the container berth to 2,000m. This extension will allow the port to accommodate up to five ships at a time when all the work is completed by 2028. The project will also involve reclaiming around 129 acres from the sea.
Shipping companies have shown huge interest in using Vizhinjam port as alternatives like Colombo and Singapore face congestion issues. During the trial phase, ships are being brought in gradually to test and optimize processes. “Ships are being brought in one by one, and then the processes are checked and fine-tuned in a systematic manner.
More ships will start coming in when the port is commissioned,” the official said. The port has released competitive rates that are lower than Colombo's, aiming to attract ships carrying transshipment cargo destined for India. Currently, transshipment containers are typically unloaded by mother ships at Colombo or Singapore, and then feeder vessels transport them to Indian ports.
Port authorities at Vizhinjam are pushing shipping companies to shift these operations to Vizhinjam. Trade bodies believe that shipping directly to Vizhinjam will expedite the delivery of containers to businesses in India. Reports indicate that increasing congestion is making Colombo less popular among shipping companies.
Vizhinjam Port, being developed by Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Ltd under a design, build, finance, operate, and transfer model for a 40-year term, is the first deep-water transshipment port in India and is strategically located close to major international shipping routes. Two ships, including a mother ship, are scheduled to dock at the port by the end of the week..
