Vizhinjam Port welcomes first Chinese crane shipment

Kerala's Minister for Ports, Ahamed Devarkovil, announced that the inaugural shipment of cranes from China is set to arrive at Vizhinjam Port on October 4. This significant event will be marked by the presence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Union Minister for Ports Sarbananda Sonowal, who will participate in a special ceremony at the Adani-operated Vizhinjam Port to welcome the ship.Minister Devarkovil shared that three additional ships are scheduled to arrive at Vizhinjam Port, with one expected in October and two more in November, following the maiden shipment. He emphasised that the construction of the port, which is estimated to cost Rs 7,700 crore, is on track for commissioning by May of the coming year.Devarkovil expressed confidence, saying, We are optimistic about commissioning the port by May next year. He added that Adani Ports Private Ltd has committed to completing all the necessary infrastructure work by December this year, with 75 percent of the breakwater construction already accomplished. He highlighted a unique feature of Vizhinjam Port, stating, This is the sole port in the country offering more than 20 meters of depth without dredging and is conveniently situated near the International Maritime Channel.Rajesh Jha, MD and CEO of Adani Ports Private Ltd, spoke to PTI, underscoring the port's pivotal role in international cargo transshipment to India. He noted, This port is poised to become one of the world's largest ports, providing significant economic benefits to Kerala as it meets the growing transshipment demands.Furthermore, on September 20, Chief Minister Vijayan is scheduled to unveil the logo and official name of Vizhinjam Port during a ceremony in Thiruvananthapuram.It's important to note that Vizhinjam Port is a collaborative project under the public-private partnership model, with the Adani Group as the private partner. Once operational, it will rank among the world's largest ports.The project, originally slated for commissioning in 2019, encountered delays primarily related to land acquisition issues. Additionally, the Vizhinjam area saw protests from local fishermen, who expressed concerns about the potential negative impact of the port on their livelihoods.