In 1991, plans to build a deep-sea port at Vizhinjam were first conceived. The project has been attempted several times over the years, but it has encountered a number of obstacles, such as security issues, bidding-related legal battles, and a lack of investor enthusiasm.

Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd (APSEZ) and the Kerala government inked a deal in August 2015 to build the Vizhinjam International Deepwater Seaport under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. This was a major step toward achieving the region’s long-held goal of having a top-tier port.

After unsuccessful attempts in 1995, 2004, 2008, and 2010, the state government recognized the project’s independent financial feasibility in 2014 and structured it with significant state financial support and viability gap funding (VGF) assistance from the federal government.

In 2015, Adani Ports was chosen as the only bidder and given the project. With a 20-year extension clause, the agreement gave Adani a 40-year concession to construct, run, and transfer the port. However, there were many difficulties in carrying out the Vizhinjam Port project.

Delays resulted from Cyclone Ockhi in 2017, which seriously damaged the construction, especially the breakwater. The lack of necessary building supplies, particularly limestone, further impeded development. agitations brought forth by concerns about livelihood loss and coastal erosion.

The Vizhinjam International Seaport, which opened for trial operations in July 2024 and welcomed its first mothership, the San Fernando, is a monument to India’s marine aspirations as of May 2025. The MSC Claude Girarde and MSC Turkiye, two of the largest ships to ever visit an Indian port and among the world’s ultra-large container ships, were welcomed there in September 2024 and April 2025.

Over 280 vessels and 6 lakh TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) have passed through the port since it opened for business. The port has an 18-meter natural deep draft near shore that eliminates the need for expensive dredging. Vizhinjam’s natural depth allows it to accommodate even the largest next-generation container ships, which need drafts of 20 meters or more.

It has AI-powered vessel traffic management systems and the tallest ship-to-shore cranes in India. Vizhinjam, which is only ten nautical miles from the international east-west shipping route, has the potential to develop into a crucial transshipment hub that would lessen India’s need on ports like Dubai, Singapore, and Colombo.

The port is anticipated to boost India’s export competitiveness by drastically reducing logistics costs for Indian industries by 30–40%. The port is expected to play a significant part in India’s marine infrastructure, with plans to upgrade its capacity to 5 million TEUs by 2028 using the newest technology.

“Today, at Vizhinjam, history, destiny, and possibility came together as a 30-year-old dream of Kerala became India’s gateway to the world.We are proud to have built India’s first deep-sea automated port. A future global transshipment hub. This is a triumph of vision, resilience, and partnership.” Gautam Adani said in a post on X. Additionally, He said that “together, we sail towards a stronger, bolder India.”

The Adani Group has already contributed more than Rs 4,500 crore to the Vizhinjam International Seaport project, working closely with both the state and federal governments.

Vizhinjam, India’s first automated port, is establishing new standards for port operations and administration. In the next stages of the project, the Adani Group is anticipated to invest a further Rs 20,000 crore, generating over 5,000 employment and propelling the local economy to previously unheard-of levels of prosperity.