Vizhinjam International Port

Source- This post on the Vizhinjam International Port has been created based on the article “Adani Vizhinjam Port to receive first mothership on July 12” published in “Economic Times” on 9 July 2024.

The Adani Group’s Vizhinjam Port is now ready to receive its first mothership.

About Vizhinjam International Port

1. Location: The port is located in Vizhinjam, a coastal town in the Thiruvananthapuram District of Kerala.

2. Developed by: It was developed under a landlord model with a Public Private Partnership component on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) basis.

3. It was primarily designed to cater to container transshipment, the port also handles multi-purpose and break-bulk cargo.

4. It will also be a global bunkering hub, supplying clean, green fuels like hydrogen and ammonia.

5. After completion, the port will be one of the world’s greenest ports in the world.

Strategic Advantage

i)  The port is a mere 10 nautical miles (NM) diversion from the international east-west shipping route connecting Europe, the Persian Gulf, and the Far East.

ii) It is also close to the national and regional road and rail network.

iii) The port will feature approximately 30 berths, most of which will be capable of handling Mother Vessels.

 Significance of the port

i) The port is the only transshipment hub in the Indian subcontinent, strategically located close to international shipping routes and centrally on the Indian coastline. Around 95% of India’s foreign trade is conducted via the sea route, accounting for 70% of the trade in value terms.

ii)  Nearly 30% of freight movement occurs through the international shipping route south of the Indian peninsula, passing just 10 NM off Vizhinjam.

UPSC Syllabus: Indian Economy