Docking of MV San Fernando ship, with a capacity of 9000 TEUs marks India’s foray into Next Gen World Class Port Infrastructure: Sonowal

This achievement, according to Shri Sonowal, aligns with the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to develop world-class port infrastructure across India.

Today marks a historic milestone for India's maritime sector as the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, welcomed the maiden mothership 'MV San Fernando' at Vizhinjam, Kerala's first deep water container transhipment port. The event was graced by the presence of Kerala's Chief Minister, Shri Pinari Vijayan, highlighting the significance of this achievement.

In his address, Shri Sonowal underscored the momentous occasion, stating, "Today is a historic day for the maritime sector of India as the maiden mothership docks at Vizhinjam, India’s first truly deep water International Container Transhipment terminal." He attributed this success to the collaborative efforts under the 'Make in India' initiative, emphasizing the partnership between the Government of Kerala, Government of India, and Adani Port SEZ, which has resulted in a state-of-the-art port facility capable of handling megamax container ships with advanced automation for efficient vessel turnaround.

This achievement, according to Shri Sonowal, aligns with the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to develop world-class port infrastructure across India. He highlighted ongoing mega projects like the All Weather Deep Draft Port at Vadhavan in Maharashtra and the International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) at Galathea Bay, underscoring India's commitment to enhancing its maritime capabilities.

Vizhinjam Port, strategically located near Thiruvananthapuram, stands out as India's first Greenfield port project initiated by a state government with an investment exceeding ₹18,000 crores. Developed under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode, it promises significant economic benefits for Kerala by boosting trade, creating jobs, and attracting investments. Its natural deep-water advantage and proximity to international shipping routes position it as a crucial hub for regional maritime trade.

Shri Sonowal further remarked, "Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji, India has fast-tracked development of ports sector in the country, as we aim to become top maritime global power in the years to come." The operationalisation of Vizhinjam Port not only enhances India's maritime stature but also presents a competitive alternative to transhipment hubs in Colombo and Singapore, crucially supporting global supply chain resilience.

Looking ahead, the Minister highlighted the Sagarmala project, a flagship initiative with investments exceeding ₹24,000 crores in Kerala alone, aimed at modernizing port infrastructure and fostering economic growth. Amidst evolving global dynamics impacting the maritime sector, Vizhinjam Port is poised to play a pivotal role in facilitating trade and connectivity across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

The successful commencement of operations at Vizhinjam Port marks a significant leap forward in India's quest to assert itself as a leading maritime power, leveraging strategic infrastructure investments to harness economic opportunities on a global scale.