Q. In what way(s) does the Vizhinjam International Seaport represent a structural shift in India’s maritime trade and logistics policy?
1. By functioning exclusively as a domestic cargo hub to reduce reliance on coastal shipping and eliminate the need for foreign collaborations.
2. By focusing primarily on passenger cruise tourism and heritage shipping to increase Kerala’s profile as a maritime heritage destination.
3. By leveraging its natural deep draft and strategic location to reduce dependence foreign trans-shipment ports, on and enhance revenue retention, reposition India in regional maritime trade.
Select the answer using the code given below:
Exp) Option d is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is incorrect: Vizhinjam is explicitly developed as a premier International Transshipment Hub rather than an exclusive domestic cargo hub. Far from eliminating foreign collaborations, its core operational model targets global mainline vessels and international trade routes.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Vizhinjam is entirely focused on industrial container logistics and cargo transshipment (handling mega container ships, extending container berths, and managing up to 5.7 million TEUs). It does not focus primarily on passenger cruise tourism or heritage shipping.
Statement 3 is correct: Vizhinjam leverages its inherent locational advantages (just 10 nautical miles from the international shipping route) and its natural deep draft of 18m close to shore. This directly reduces India’s historical dependence on foreign transshipment hubs (like Colombo) for routing Indian origin cargo, thereby enhancing domestic revenue retention and boosting India’s maritime competitiveness.
Source:) https://vizhinjamport.in/
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2218315®=3&lang=1
https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/shaping-the-port-of-the-future/article69537384.ece
https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/vizhinjam-port-competition-or-complementary-to-colombo
