Vizhinjam all set for next big leap: CM Satheesan reviews port readiness before EXIM operations

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 18 (IANS) Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan made his first full fledge visit to the Vizhinjam International Seaport on Tuesday, reaching the port early in the morning and reviewing its operational preparedness, hours ahead of the opening of the gates for full-fledged land-based export-import (EXIM) cargo operations.

The port has been hitherto functioning as a transshipment port. From Tuesday its gates will be opened for cargo containers which will now be brought into the port and taken out of the port.

Accompanied by Industries, Information Technology and Commerce Minister, P.K. Kunhalikutty, Chief Minister Satheesan was given a detailed presentation on the port’s operations and the arrangements being put in place for the next major phase of Vizhinjam’s development.

He also visited the Vehicle Traffic Management System (VTMS) office during the review.

The visit comes at a crucial juncture for Vizhinjam, with the commencement of full land-based EXIM operations expected to significantly strengthen the port’s role in international shipping and position Kerala on the global maritime map.

Chief Minister Satheesan, in a social media post after the visit, said the review focussed on operational readiness as the project enters a phase that could prove to be a game changer in global shipping.

The Chief Minister’s visit also assumes significance as it was his first detailed official engagement at Vizhinjam after taking charge as Chief Minister following the April 2026 Assembly elections.

The UDF government is keen to project Vizhinjam as one of the major engines of Kerala’s economic growth, particularly through its potential to attract transshipment, logistics and allied industries.

The opening of the gates for land-based EXIM cargo operations is expected to mark another milestone in the development of the Adani-operated Vizhinjam International Seaport, which has already emerged as one of the state’s most significant infrastructure projects.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal who was scheduled to attend the EXIM launch, however, will not be arriving for the event.

The change in the Centre’s representation is not expected to take away from the significance of the operational milestone.

With cargo movement now set to expand substantially, the state government is looking at Vizhinjam not merely as a port but as a major economic gateway for Kerala, capable of creating new opportunities in logistics, trade, industry and related sectors.

The latest preparations thus signal Vizhinjam’s transition into a new phase from a landmark infrastructure project to a fully operational international maritime hub.

–IANS

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