Fri Mar 07 04:44:51 UTC 2025: ## Vizhinjam Port: Women Operators Make History at India’s First Automated Deepwater Seaport

**Thiruvananthapuram, March 7, 2025** – Nine women are making history at the Vizhinjam International Port, India’s first automated multi-purpose deepwater seaport. They are among the select few operating the port’s advanced Cantilever Rail-Mounted Gantry (CRMG) cranes, controlling the loading and unloading of cargo from a remote control room.

The women, all local residents from low-income families, underwent rigorous training at the Adani Skill Development Centre. Their employment is part of the Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Ltd.’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and women’s empowerment. The training program aimed to create skilled, sustainable job opportunities within the port’s operations, utilizing advanced technology.

The CRMG cranes, 24 in total, are operated via a remote console using joysticks, allowing operators to monitor the crane’s position, status, and performance on large screens displaying real-time data and video feeds. While the cranes automate many movements, human operators remain crucial for interventions and manual corrections when necessary.

The operators’ roles involve handling cargo transfers between Internal Transit Vehicles (ITVs) and the port yard. The work demands intense focus and concentration, according to the women, who work 12-hour shifts. Their dedication and expertise are key to the port’s efficient operation, contributing significantly to its recent success in handling the highest cargo volume among 15 eastern and southern Indian ports last month (78,833 TEUs from 40 ships).

The women’s roles represent a significant step towards gender equality in a traditionally male-dominated field, highlighting the success of initiatives promoting women’s employment in technology-driven industries. With increased experience, the women may transition to operating more complex Quasy Cranes (QCs), currently operated exclusively by men. For these women, the jobs provide not only financial independence but also a sense of accomplishment and participation in a landmark project for India.

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