Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 30 (Representative) The second and third phases of the Vizhinjam Port, slated for completion by 2028, are set to make the port a central driver of Kerala’s economic progress, Kerala Minister for Ports V.N. Vasavan said on Wednesday. Speaking at the closing session of the Vizhinjam Conclave 2025 in Thiruvananthapuram, Vasavan emphasized that the expansion of the port, along with the introduction of passenger cargo facilities, will establish Kerala’s maritime sector as a leader in South Asia. The Vizhinjam Integrated Logistics Hub, along with the Vallarpadam Container Terminal and 17 other smaller ports in Kerala, is expected to play a pivotal role in the global supply chain. Since the first cargo ship arrived in July, the port has handled 144 ships and 2,90,000 containers within just six months, underscoring its growing capacity and operational efficiency. With its natural depth of 20 meters, the port offers direct access to mother vessels, enhancing its strategic importance. Vasavan assured the public that the state government is fully committed to improving infrastructure connections to the port. This includes a 10-km rail tunnel from Balaramapuram to Vizhinjam Port, which is expected to be completed within four years. Additionally, road connectivity to National Highway 66 is set to be finalized within two years, further bolstering the port’s accessibility. On Investment and Employment Opportunities, Minister V. Sivankutty, who also addressed the conclave, underscored the port’s potential to create significant employment opportunities for local communities and attract global investors.
He highlighted the participation of more than 300 delegates and 50 investors at the event, signaling strong confidence in Vizhinjam’s future. Sivankutty also praised Kerala’s growth in micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), with over 3.42 lakh new businesses established under the state’s Entrepreneurial Year initiative. This initiative has drawn Rs 21,980 crore in investments and generated 7.26 lakh jobs over the past three years. He also assured that there would be no labour issues in any industries across Kerala. The government’s ‘Mission 1000’ programme, which aims to help 1,000 MSMEs achieve an annual turnover of Rs 100 crore, is further strengthening Kerala’s reputation as a hub for high-quality products and services in global markets. Speaking on ‘A Vision for the Future’, Industries Minister P. Rajeeve, addressing the conclave, outlined a bold vision for transforming Vizhinjam into a global industrial powerhouse. He urged industrialists to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the port’s development and reassured investors that the Kerala government is dedicated to facilitating industrial growth in the region. Rajeeve highlighted Kerala’s competitive advantages, including its educated and skilled workforce and robust infrastructure, which position the state as an attractive destination for industrial investment. Rajeeve further emphasized that Kerala is increasingly becoming a model of urban-rural integration, with no visible divide between city and village life.
He also spotlighted the state’s ongoing innovations in sectors such as graphene manufacturing and genomics, which contribute to Kerala’s rise as an emerging industrial hub. To foster greater synergy between academia and industry, the government plans to expand the number of industrial parks from 31 to 50 by February. As elections approach, Rajeeve reaffirmed the government’s commitment to executing these transformative initiatives within the remaining timeframe, expressing confidence that Vizhinjam will soon emerge as India’s leading port and a major global player. Minister Rajeeve said that close on the heels of the success of the first edition, the second Vizhinjam Conclave will take place next year in January. On ‘Rapid Progress at Adani Vizhinjam Port’, Pradeep Jayaraman, CEO of Adani Vizhinjam Port, lauded the rapid progress of the port, noting that it has exceeded global benchmarks in its early operational phase. He attributed this success to the strong support from the state government and the efficient execution of the project. Jayaraman emphasized that once completed, Vizhinjam Port will be a world-class multi-cargo mega hub. APM Mohammed Haneesh, Principal Secretary of the Industries Department, Dr. Divya S. Iyer, Managing Director of VISIL, and S.N. Raghuchandran Nair, President of the Trivandrum Chamber of Commerce also spoke on the occasion.