Concerns that the Vizhinjam port could become a monopoly of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) following its ₹13,000-crore investment have been dismissed as unfounded, with officials clarifying that the port will continue to function as a common user facility similar to Adani Ennore Port.
Nearly four years ago, MSC Group’s subsidiary Terminal Investment Ltd (TIL) acquired a 49% stake in Adani Ennore Container Terminal. Despite this, the port continues to handle vessels from multiple global shipping lines, including CMA CGM and Maersk. TIL has also made investments in Mundra Port, reinforcing its presence in India’s port ecosystem.
According to an Adani Ports official, TIL will not have exclusive access to a terminal at Vizhinjam port. Instead, the company will earn a share of the revenue proportional to its investment and will have representation on the board of Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt Ltd.
Adani Ports has partnered with MSC, the world’s largest shipping company, to ensure the commercial viability of the project, given MSC’s significant share in container cargo movement to India.
Although the port’s trial operations began with the docking of Maersk’s San Fernando on July 11, 2024, Vizhinjam has since largely handled vessels from the MSC Group. However, officials emphasized that there are no restrictions on other shipping lines using the port.
“Shipping is a highly competitive business, and the arrival of vessels from different lines depends on the availability of cargo and commercial viability at a given port,” an official said.
Through the ₹13,000-crore investment for a 49% stake, Adani Ports aims to leverage MSC’s extensive global network to accelerate growth. The partnership is expected to boost cargo volumes, capture a larger share of Bangladeshi cargo currently routed through Southeast Asian transshipment hubs, strengthen connectivity with East African trade routes, and expand relay cargo operations.
TIL ranks among the world’s largest container terminal operators, managing over 100 terminals across five continents with an annual handling capacity exceeding 70 million TEUs.
Vizhinjam port, which commenced operations in December 2024, currently has a capacity of 1.6 million TEUs. Plans are underway to scale this up to 5.7 million TEUs by December 2028.
