📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ganesh Mohan T
Business
Vizhinjam Port Project Could Reduce India's Cargo Dependence, Experts Say
✍️ indiatoday.in
🗓 29 Sep 2026, 11:31 PM
👁 11
Industry experts argue that the under‑construction Vizhinjam International Seaport could lower India's reliance on foreign cargo hubs, provided Kerala accelerates its development.
The Vizhinjam International Seaport, located on Kerala's southern coast near Thiruvananthapuram, is being built as a deep‑water, all‑weather facility that can accommodate large container ships. Designed to serve as a gateway for India's southern trade, the project is expected to handle millions of tonnes of cargo annually once operational.
Maritime analysts contend that the port's strategic position could significantly cut India's dependence on congested ports in neighboring countries, such as Colombo and Singapore. By providing a domestic hub for trans‑shipment and direct container handling, Vizhinjam could reduce logistics costs and shorten supply‑chain timelines for Indian exporters and importers.
However, experts caution that the benefits will materialise only if Kerala expedites construction and resolves pending land‑acquisition and infrastructure challenges. Delays could erode the competitive advantage the port promises, allowing foreign hubs to retain their market share. Prompt completion is therefore seen as critical to unlocking the port's potential impact on India's cargo landscape.
Maritime analysts contend that the port's strategic position could significantly cut India's dependence on congested ports in neighboring countries, such as Colombo and Singapore. By providing a domestic hub for trans‑shipment and direct container handling, Vizhinjam could reduce logistics costs and shorten supply‑chain timelines for Indian exporters and importers.
However, experts caution that the benefits will materialise only if Kerala expedites construction and resolves pending land‑acquisition and infrastructure challenges. Delays could erode the competitive advantage the port promises, allowing foreign hubs to retain their market share. Prompt completion is therefore seen as critical to unlocking the port's potential impact on India's cargo landscape.