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

Dil Bar Irshad | August 18, 2026 | 11:44 PM IST | Breaking News, India | Follow on Google News

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.

Dil Bar Irshad

Dil Bar Irshad is a seasoned journalist, hails from Jammu Kashmir's Doda, covers political, social, business stories, index stories.