The Vizhinjam International Seaport will begin full export-import (EXIM) operations on August 18, marking its evolution from a transshipment hub into a comprehensive international cargo gateway, the Kerala government announced on Saturday.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan will inaugurate the milestone by flagging off the port’s first export container. This will be followed by the ‘Mission Samudra’ Business Summit, according to an official statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
The summit is expected to convene global shipping lines, logistics providers, exporters, investors, and key industry stakeholders.
During the event, the state will formally unveil ‘Mission Samudra’, its long-term maritime development strategy, outlining Kerala’s roadmap for growth driven by port-led economic expansion.
Developed under a public-private partnership between the Kerala government and Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), Vizhinjam International Seaport has rapidly positioned itself among the world’s fastest-growing container ports. The port has handled two million TEUs within just 18 months of starting commercial operations and has already hosted some of the largest mother vessels, underscoring its capabilities as a global maritime hub.
The launch of EXIM services, part of the state’s 100-day action plan, is expected to significantly enhance Vizhinjam’s role as a cargo gateway. It is likely to reduce logistics costs, improve supply chain efficiency, boost export competitiveness, and attract investments while generating employment.
This development also marks a key milestone for Mission Samudra, which aims to integrate ports, logistics, manufacturing, inland waterways, and multimodal connectivity to establish Kerala as a leading maritime and logistics hub.
The CMO added that Vizhinjam, India’s first deep-water transshipment port and South Asia’s first fully automated container port, will continue to operate as an open-access, common-user facility, ensuring equal access for all shipping lines and strengthening India’s standing in global maritime trade.
