Thiruvananthapuram: The Adani Group-operated Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala has handled over 2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) within 18 months of starting operations, becoming the fastest port in India to reach the milestone. 

According to port operator Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), Vizhinjam had crossed the 1 million TEU mark in August 2025 and has now doubled that volume in a relatively short span after trial operations began in July 2024. 

The port was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2025.

Vessel traffic and global-scale shipping calls

“Vizhinjam International Seaport has become the fastest Indian port to cross both the 1 million TEU and 2 million TEU milestones since commencing operations in 2024,” the company said in a statement on Thursday.

The port has handled more than 950 vessels so far, including 67 ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs).

It has also berthed some of the world’s largest container ships, including MSC Irina, described as the world’s largest container vessel, and MSC Verona, among the deepest-draft vessels to call at an Indian port.

Transshipment hub push and expansion plans

Located around 10 nautical miles from a major east–west international shipping route, Vizhinjam is being positioned as a transshipment hub linking South Asia, West Asia, Europe, Africa and South America.

The port has a natural draft of about 20 metres, allowing large vessels to dock without extensive dredging.

Shipping operators say the location reduces transit time and fuel costs, supporting global trade routes affected by geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions.

For decades, a large share of India’s transshipment cargo was handled at foreign ports.

With Vizhinjam scaling up, India aims to retain more of this cargo domestically and reduce dependence on overseas hubs.

Phase II development is underway with an investment of around Rs 16,000 crore and is expected to be completed by 2028. Once completed, it is expected to significantly increase container handling capacity and support full-scale export-import operations.

APSEZ also said it recently became the first Indian integrated transport utility to handle over 500 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo in a single year.