Kerala’s Vizhinjam shipyard project could transform state into maritime hub
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Kerala is making a bold move to solidify its position as a global maritime player, with the state budget officially unveiling plans for a massive new shipyard project linked to the already operational Vizhinjam International Seaport. This ambitious initiative, part of the newly launched 'Mission Samudra' with a ₹400 crore allocation, aims to transform the state into a comprehensive maritime hub within the next five years, capable of constructing and servicing mother ships. The Union Shipping Ministry has backed this vision, suggesting the acquisition of up to 3,000 acres of coastal land and allocating a hefty ₹20,000 crore package to bolster shipbuilding initiatives. This development comes as the Vizhinjam International Seaport, India's first deep-water transshipment port and operated by Adani Ports & SEZ (APSEZ) under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Model, continues its rapid ascent. Since its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2025 and the start of commercial operations in December 2024, the port has impressively handled over 2 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) in just 18 months, swiftly reducing India's reliance on foreign transshipment hubs like Colombo Port and Singapore Port. With Phase 2 expansion already underway since January 2026, Adani Ports plans an additional ₹16,000 crore investment, targeting full completion by 2028-29 and significantly enhancing its capacity to handle Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs). Looking ahead, the primary hurdle for the new Vizhinjam Shipyard Project is securing the substantial land required, a challenge currently being examined by the Maritime Board. Beyond shipbuilding, Kerala is also accelerating critical infrastructure, including the Balaramapuram-Vizhinjam Underground Railway and the Vizhinjam-Navaikulam Outer Ring Road, to ensure seamless connectivity. The state is also eyeing a leadership role in sustainable shipping by developing Vizhinjam as India's premier port for Green Bunkering Services, even as regional competition, like Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi Shipyard project with HD Korea Shipbuilding, intensifies.