Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate construction of Phase II at Vizhinjam International Port on 24 January at 4 pm, marking the formal launch of export-import cargo operations and the opening of a new port road linking Vizhinjam with the National Highway bypass.

The second phase is being executed by Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd with an investment of Rs 100 billion. The expansion will raise annual container handling capacity from 1.5 million TEUs to 5 million TEUs. Berth length will increase from 800 metres to 2,000 metres, while the breakwater will be extended from 3 km to 4 km. Additional infrastructure planned includes a railway yard, multipurpose berth, liquid terminal and tank farm.

Rail connectivity will be developed through a 10.7 km track, including a 9.2-metre tunnel, with land acquisition currently under progress. Road access to the national highway has already been approved, including plans for a cloverleaf interchange to support commercial traffic.

Vizhinjam recently received Inland Container Port/Depot status, placing it alongside select ports in Gujarat and Kolkata. The port will also expand cruise-handling capabilities, with around 50 hectares earmarked for yard, customs and security facilities and dredging planned directly from the sea.

Under the revised agreement, Phases II, III and IV are scheduled for completion by 2028, significantly advancing the original long-term timeline.

Vizhinjam completed one year of commercial operations on 3 December, handling over 1.325 million containers against a one million target. It became India’s first port to berth more than 40 ultra-large container vessels (399 metres), along with over 155 ships longer than 300 metres and 45 vessels with drafts above 16 metres. The state government has earned around Rs 1 billion in tax revenue from port activities.

The port has also attracted several of the world’s largest container ships, including MSC Turkiye, MSC Irena and MSC Verona, many of which were first-time visitors to Asia.