Sat Jul 12 08:13:39 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summarized news article based on the provided text:
**Headline: Vizhinjam Port Celebrates First Anniversary, Eyes Expansion Amid Connectivity Challenges**
**Thiruvananthapuram, July 12, 2025:** The Vizhinjam International Seaport, India’s first deep-water container transshipment port, marked its first anniversary on Saturday, July 12, 2025, after a year of impressive performance. Despite formal commissioning in December 2024, the port began limited operations on July 12, 2024, with the arrival of its first mother vessel, MV San Fernando.
In its first year, Vizhinjam handled approximately 395 ships, including 23 ultra-large container vessels like the MSC Irina, the world’s largest container ship, which made its India debut at the port. The port has processed around 8.4 lakh TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of cargo. It has quickly reached 100% capacity, establishing itself as a significant player in global port development.
Adani Vizhinjam Ports Private Limited (AVPPL), the port’s developer, plans to begin the second and third phases of expansion by September or October. This will include extending the breakwater by 1 km and the berth by 1.2 km, along with expanding container yards and related infrastructure. The investment for these phases is estimated at ₹10,000 crore. The number of cranes will also be increased significantly.
Currently, the port facilitates only transshipment of cargo by sea, with full potential held back by the absence of completed road and rail connectivity. These crucial connections are scheduled for completion by 2028. A road connecting the port to the National Highway is expected to be finished within three months.
The port has created 2000 employment opportunities and is expected to create more employment as it is set to grow into the gateway to India’s maritime supremacy.
First Piper 