Vizhinjam Port Begins EXIM Operations, Kerala Unveils ‘Mission Samudra’

Vizhinjam Port Begins EXIM Operations, Kerala Unveils ‘Mission Samudra’

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, August 18, 2026 [VoM News]: Kerala has begun full-fledged export-import operations at Vizhinjam International Seaport, with Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan describing the development as the opening of a new maritime gateway for the country.

Satheesan formally launched land-based EXIM operations by waving two containers into the port. He said Kerala can now send its products directly to international markets through the deep-water transshipment facility and urged the state to turn the opportunity into jobs and economic growth.

The chief minister acknowledged that Kerala had lost time in improving road and rail connectivity to Vizhinjam but said there would be no further delay. State agencies have been directed to acquire land for logistics parks and related infrastructure.

Under the proposed ‘Mission Samudra’, the government plans to connect Kerala’s major and minor ports, expand water-based transport and make use of the state’s nearly 600-km coastline. Plans also include a cruise terminal in Kochi, an oceanarium and a maritime museum.

Adani Vizhinjam Port CEO Ashwani Gupta said the port has a capacity of 2.3 million TEUs and could handle about 30% of India’s container market. The project has involved an investment of more than Rs 7,700 crore, while a further Rs 16,000 crore is planned for Phase II.

The first EXIM consignments included Kerala food and snack products bound for European markets.

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Dil Bar Irshad

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Dil Bar Irshad is an Indian journalist, writer, and media entrepreneur from the Marmat area of Doda in Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known as the founder and Editor-in-Chief of VoM News ("Voice of Masses"), a digital news portal dedicated to highlighting public grievances and citizen issues. Career Overview • Early Career (2015–2016): He began his reporting career focusing on local public issues and citizen grievances in Jammu and Kashmir. • Regional & National Journalism: Over the years, he served as a District Correspondent for the English newspaper Khalsa Express News (2019–2020) and worked as an Urdu correspondent for Sada e Kohistan. He also reported as a J&K Correspondent for the Millennium Post. • International Reporting: In 2023, he expanded into international journalism, working as an India Correspondent for global agencies like BNN Breaking and later TrimFeed, covering diverse topics ranging from stock market updates to regional and global geopolitical developments. • Media Associations: He is an active member of the All India Media Association. Seen IN: Editor-in-Chief, VoM News India, Jammu and Kashmīr Business and Finance, Crime and Justice, Environment As seen in: VoM News, MSN, MSN India, MSN Singapore, MSN UK, Youth Ki Awaaz, Millennium Post, AgroPages, The California Courier, Hecho En California, Justice News, The Chenab Times, Niguro, Sisnoo