Behind the container traffic figures from Thiruvananthapuram: Vizhinjam begins Phases II, III and IV of its expansion

Background

Vizhinjam keeps appearing in Kerala's trade numbers, and the reason is the expansion now under way. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the capacity augmentation works of the Vizhinjam International Seaport at Thiruvananthapuram, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan present. Work has started on Phases II, III and IV together. Total investment in the port is put at about Rs 16,000 crore, of which about Rs 7,398 crore is for the expansion phases. Phase I was built for 1 million TEUs but has already moved more than 1.43 million TEUs, which is over 130 per cent of what it was designed for. Once the new phases are done, yearly throughput is expected to reach up to 5.7 million TEUs, and the port will be able to take container vessels of up to 28,000 TEUs. The container berth is to run about 2 km and the breakwater is being extended to 3.88 km, letting five mother vessels berth at a time. Completion is targeted for December 2028, and the concessionaire is Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Limited.