<p data-path-to-node="1">The Adani Group-operated Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala has created history by handling over <b data-path-to-node="1" data-index-in-node="125">2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs)</b> of container traffic within just 18 months of starting operations. This achievement crowns it as the fastest Indian port facility to hit this landmark milestone.</p><p data-path-to-node="2">Developed and operated by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) for the Government of Kerala, the deep-water mega-hub started trial runs in July 2024, achieved its first million TEUs by August 2025, and has now successfully doubled that volume.</p><h4 data-path-to-node="3"><b data-path-to-node="3" data-index-in-node="0">Global Shipping Lines Drive Rapid Scale-Up</b></h4><p data-path-to-node="4">The rapid acceleration in cargo handling reflects soaring international confidence in Vizhinjam's cutting-edge infrastructure. Despite widespread macroeconomic and supply chain disruptions affecting West Asia and global corridors, shipping lines are choosing the automated port for its unparallelled efficiency.</p><p data-path-to-node="5">Key operational metrics and achievements include:</p><ul data-path-to-node="6"><li><p data-path-to-node="6,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="6,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Massive Vessel Footprint:</b> The port has successfully serviced more than <b data-path-to-node="6,0,0" data-index-in-node="71">950 vessels</b> since its inception.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="6,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="6,1,0" data-index-in-node="0">Ultra-Large Container Vessels (ULCVs):</b> Vizhinjam has berthed <b data-path-to-node="6,1,0" data-index-in-node="61">67 mega-ships</b> measuring nearly 400 meters in length.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="6,2,0"><b data-path-to-node="6,2,0" data-index-in-node="0">Iconic Port Calls:</b> Notable arrivals include the <i data-path-to-node="6,2,0" data-index-in-node="48">MSC Irina</i> (celebrated as the world's largest container ship) and the <i data-path-to-node="6,2,0" data-index-in-node="117">MSC Verona</i>, one of the deepest-draft container vessels to ever enter Indian waters.</p></li></ul><h4 data-path-to-node="7"><b data-path-to-node="7" data-index-in-node="0">Geographic and Strategic Super-Powers</b></h4><p data-path-to-node="8">Situated just <b data-path-to-node="8" data-index-in-node="14">10 nautical miles</b> from the high-traffic international east-west shipping route, Vizhinjam naturally connects South Asia with West Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America. Its true competitive advantage lies in a <b data-path-to-node="8" data-index-in-node="226">20-meter natural deep draft</b>, allowing next-generation container ships to dock with minimal turnaround times and zero extensive capital dredging requirements.</p><p data-path-to-node="9">Historically, a massive portion of Indian transshipment cargo was routed through overseas hubs like Colombo or Singapore. By rapidly scaling volume, Vizhinjam is empowering India to retain its transshipment cargo domestically, cutting transit times and fuel costs while enhancing national trade resilience.</p><h4 data-path-to-node="10"><b data-path-to-node="10" data-index-in-node="0">Future Expansion on the Horizon</b></h4><p data-path-to-node="11">To solidify its global status, the port has already initiated its Phase II expansion. Backed by an investment of approximately <b data-path-to-node="11" data-index-in-node="127">₹16,000 crore</b>, the expansion is slated for completion by 2028. Once operational, it will dramatically scale up container handling limits and pave the way for full-scale Export-Import (EXIM) cargo operations.</p>