Amid restrictions by Iran and a US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, Kerala's Vizhinjam Port has emerged as a vital transhipment hub addressing global shipping disruptions. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor noted around 100 vessels are queued there. The port is India's first deep-water container transhipment facility.
Uncertainty surrounds the Strait of Hormuz again, with Iran reimposing restrictions on the key trade waterway and a United States naval blockade in place. This has triggered a global shipping and supply crisis.
Located in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram district, Vizhinjam Port—India's first deep-water container transhipment facility—was conceptualised in 1991. Built under public-private partnership at a cost of ₹8,900 crore, it is operated by the Adani Group with majority stake held by the Kerala government. Prime Minister Modi formally inaugurated it in May last year, with an annual capacity of up to 5 million TEUs.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor described it as India's "transshipment answer to the world." He stated the port handled 61 vessels last month—a new record—and has 100 berthing calls pending. Tharoor added it managed its 1 millionth twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) in record time and is fast-tracking Phase II.
Strategically positioned 10 nautical miles from the busy international shipping route linking Europe, the Persian Gulf, and the Far East, the port features an 18m deep draft near shore. It can accommodate ultra-large next-generation container ships requiring over 20m drafts and supports vessels over 18,000 TEUs.
