Vizhinjam Port Starts Full EXIM Ops on Aug. 18

Vizhinjam International Seaport will begin full export-import operations on August 18, shifting from a transshipment hub to a cargo gateway, the Kerala government said.

The port, developed jointly by the state and Adani Ports, will launch EXIM services alongside the Mission Samudra initiative. The move is expected to cut logistics costs for southern Indian exporters who currently route cargo through Colombo or Singapore.

Container volumes through Vizhinjam have risen steadily since its partial opening last year. Full EXIM clearance means direct vessel calls for container lines, reducing transit times by three to five days for Kerala-based shippers, port officials said.

Adani Ports operates the facility under a 40-year concession. The company has invested roughly ₹7,500 crore in the first phase, with a second phase planned to double annual capacity to 2 million TEUs.