Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala’s flagship deep-sea port project, Vizhinjam International Seaport, is set to enter a crucial new chapter this week with the formal launch of Phase II expansion works and the rollout of export-import (EXIM) cargo operations, signalling a major scale-up in the port’s ambitions to become India’s leading transshipment hub.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is expected to inaugurate the Phase II construction programme on 24 January 2026, an event that will also mark the commencement of cargo operations and the opening of a new port road linking Vizhinjam to the National Highway bypass/NH-66 corridor, according to recent reports.
The announcements come as Vizhinjam, which operated under a PPP framework with Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt Ltd as the concessionaire, continues to grow beyond early operational milestones and prepares to strengthen its infrastructure to handle higher vessel volumes, larger cargo capacity, and deeper integration into India’s export-import logistics chain.
Table of Contents
- 1 Why Phase II matters: scaling capacity beyond the initial build
- 2 Cargo operations launch: moving from transshipment to trade gateway
- 3 New port road connectivity: a key enabler for cargo movement
- 4 Building the ecosystem: logistics parks, yards, and future fuel infrastructure
- 5 A strategic milestone for Kerala and India’s maritime ambitions
Why Phase II matters: scaling capacity beyond the initial build
Vizhinjam is being developed in multiple phases, and Phase II is considered a key capacity expansion stage. The planned works are expected to include extension of the breakwater and construction of additional berthing infrastructure, enabling the port to accommodate more vessels simultaneously and improve turnaround efficiency, two critical metrics in the global container trade.
Industry observers note that for a port aiming to compete with established regional transshipment centres such as Colombo, Singapore, and Dubai, infrastructure depth is only one part of the equation. The real differentiator lies in berth availability, equipment capability, truck/rail connectivity, and the speed at which containers can shift between ship, yard, and inland transport systems.
Phase II is expected to boost Vizhinjam’s throughput potential significantly over the longer term. Some reporting has indicated that once future expansion stages are completed, the port could scale to several million TEUs annually, placing it firmly in India’s top-tier port league.
Cargo operations launch: moving from transshipment to trade gateway
While Vizhinjam has attracted attention as a transshipment-friendly deep-water port due to its proximity to international shipping lanes and natural depth advantages, the launch of EXIM cargo operations is equally strategic.
EXIM cargo capability essentially turns a port into a broader trade gateway, enabling exporters and importers to route containers directly through the facility instead of relying only on feeder transshipment services. In recent months, reports have highlighted that Vizhinjam has been preparing for this shift through customs readiness and by setting up systems such as the Indian Customs Electronic Data Interchange (ICES), a key requirement for handling formal export-import clearances.
Logistics stakeholders say this transition will be especially important for industries in and around Kerala and Tamil Nadu that want faster access to shipping networks without depending heavily on distant ports.
New port road connectivity: a key enabler for cargo movement
Another critical element being launched this week is the opening of a dedicated port road connecting Vizhinjam with the national highway network. Hinterland connectivity has been one of the biggest challenges in converting Vizhinjam into a full-fledged trade gateway. Without efficient road and rail links, even the most modern port can face congestion, higher logistics costs, and slower evacuation of containers.
With the new link road opening, the state expects smoother movement of trailers and heavy cargo vehicles between the port and highway corridors, reducing dependence on narrower local road networks. This is expected to improve overall cargo evacuation speed and reduce bottlenecks as container volumes rise.
Building the ecosystem: logistics parks, yards, and future fuel infrastructure
Beyond cranes, berths, and breakwaters, ports require support ecosystems, container yards, truck terminals, warehousing zones, and customs-linked facilities. Kerala has been working to accelerate land and infrastructure support for this broader logistics backbone, aiming to ensure that container movement does not stall outside the port gates.
Meanwhile, Vizhinjam has also been expanding its service offerings to strengthen its competitiveness. Earlier reports indicated that ship-to-ship bunkering services have begun at Vizhinjam, reducing reliance on foreign bunkering facilities and aligning with the long-term vision of making the port a refuelling and maritime services hub.
A strategic milestone for Kerala and India’s maritime ambitions
The Phase II kickoff and the start of cargo operations are being seen as more than just construction or operational updates. For Kerala, Vizhinjam represents a high-value economic engine capable of generating employment and attracting global shipping-linked investment. For India, it is part of a broader push to strengthen domestic transshipment capacity, reduce dependence on overseas ports, and build global-scale maritime infrastructure on Indian shores.
With Phase II ready to begin and cargo operations moving into the launch window, Vizhinjam’s next test will be execution speed how quickly it can scale infrastructure while simultaneously building reliable cargo flows and efficient hinterland logistics.
