Adani Ports is preparing to undertake the second phase of development at the Vizhinjam International Seaport with an estimated investment of approximately ₹16,000 crore. The major expansion project is expected to be officially announced during the port’s inaugural ceremony on Saturday, which will be attended by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
According to sources, the second phase of development is designed to position Vizhinjam as the largest transhipment hub in the Indian subcontinent. The expansion will add 4.1 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) to the port’s existing capacity, significantly strengthening India’s role in global maritime trade.
Vizhinjam is already recognised as India’s most advanced and fully automated transhipment port. Phase 2 will further enhance this status through the deployment of upgraded automation technologies and state-of-the-art equipment. The development will include 21 automated ship-to-shore (STS) cranes, 45 automated Cantilever Rail-Mounted Gantry (CMRG) cranes, a dedicated rail handling yard, and an advanced electrical and automation system.
Infrastructure upgrades under Phase 2 will also involve extensive berth expansion, dredging, and reclamation works to increase operational capacity. A key highlight of the project is the construction of India’s deepest breakwater, measuring 920 metres in length with a depth of 21 metres, aimed at improving vessel safety and efficiency.
The expansion will additionally focus on sustainability, with the deployment of green equipment such as electric vehicle charging stations. Critical facilities including an electrical substation, sewage treatment plant, and International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) fencing will also be developed as part of the project.
Once completed, Phase 2 is expected to strengthen Vizhinjam’s position as a strategic maritime gateway, reduce India’s dependence on foreign transhipment ports, and enhance the country’s logistics and trade competitiveness.
