Vizhinjam, transshipment port, receives its first container ship

Adani Ports and SEZ (APSEZ) Managing Director Karan Adani  

• The strategic port is positioned to emerge as a critical player in the international trade corridors

Adani Ports and SEZ today announced the arrival of the first mother ship at its Vizhinjam port. This is a milestone event marking South Asia’s entry into the global transshipment and ushering in the subcontinent’s maritime history, positioning Vizhinjam as a critical player in the international trade routes.

This also marks the debut of India’s first automated port with state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities, capable of handling large ships, with its modern container handling equipment and world-class automation and IT systems. San Fernando, the 300-metre-long container vessel operated by Maersk with a capacity of 8,000-9,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), will be availing the services at the port to offload about 2,000 containers and for 400 container movements within the vessel. 

Highlighting Vizhinjam’s significance, Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd. Managing Director (APSEZ) Karan Adani said, “San Fernando – now berthed at our harbour is a symbol of a new, glorious achievement in Indian maritime history. It is a messenger that will tell the world that India’s first transshipment terminal and the largest deepwater port has begun commercial operations.” Talking about the port’s state-of-art infrastructure he added, “No other port in India – including our own highly advanced Mundra Port – has these technologies. What we have already installed here is South Asia’s most advanced container handling technology. And once we complete the automation and the Vessel Traffic Management System, Vizhinjam will be in a class of its own as one of the most technologically sophisticated transshipment ports in the world.”

Vizhinjam, will not only facilitate the movement of transshipment traffic into India but the strategically located port will also play a pivotal role in handling traffic along major routes connecting India, such as traffic between Sri Lanka and other South Asian countries as well as US, Europe, Africa and the Far East, and thus playing a critical role in the international trade routes.