Prime Minister inaugurated Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport in Kerala | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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Prime Minister inaugurated Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport in Kerala

Posted 03 May 2025

2 min read

Vizhinjam Port, worth Rs 8,800 crore, is India’s first dedicated container transshipment port.

  • A transshipment port includes terminals, where cargo containers are shifted from one vessel to another before they reach their final destination. 
  • India is also developing a deepwater port at Vadhvan in Maharashtra’s Palghar district and another mega transshipment port is proposed on Great Nicobar Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Vizhinjam Port

  • Vizhinjam port has been developed in Landlord Model with a Public Private Partnership (PPP) component on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (“DBFOT”) basis. 
    • Under the landlord model, port authority retains ownership and control of port but actual cargo handling and terminal operations are typically leased to private operators. 
  • This is the first Greenfield port project in India, initiated by a state Government under PPP mode.
  • Significance: 
    • Strategic Location: Close to the International East-West shipping route connecting Europe, the Persian Gulf and the Far East.
    • Deep Draft: Natural deep draft of nearly 20 meters requiring no capital dredging. 
    • Curvilinear Coast: Mitigating tsunami impact, minimising maintenance costs.

Need for Transshipment Hub

  • Foreign Dependence: Currently, nearly 75% of India’s Transshipment cargo is handled at ports outside India, especially at Colombo, Singapore and Klang.
  • Revenue: Expected to reduce $80–$100 per container cost and $200–220 million annual potential income loss.
  • Maritime Infrastructure: It aligns with PM Gati Shakti National Logistics Policy and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
  • Tags :
  • Transshipment Port
  • Vizhinjam
  • Maritime Infrastructure
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