<p data-path-to-node="5">Marking a major milestone in India's maritime trade architecture, the <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="98">Vizhinjam International Seaport</b> will formally commence full-fledged <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="166">Export-Import (EXIM) operations on August 18, 2026</b>. The transition shifts the facility from a transshipment hub into a comprehensive international cargo gateway, enabling direct import and export cargo movements for Indian shippers.</p><p data-path-to-node="6">Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan will flag off the port’s first official export container to mark the launch, which forms a key component of the state government’s 100-day action programme.</p><h3 data-path-to-node="8"><b data-path-to-node="8" data-index-in-node="0">'Mission Samudra' Business Summit to Anchor Multi-Billion Maritime Development Roadmap</b></h3><p data-path-to-node="9">The launch of EXIM operations will coincide with the rollout of Kerala’s long-term maritime growth strategy:</p><ul data-path-to-node="10"><li><p data-path-to-node="10,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Mission Samudra Business Summit:</b> Following the container flag-off, the state government will host the <b data-path-to-node="10,0,0" data-index-in-node="102">Mission Samudra Business Summit</b>, bringing together global ocean carriers, terminal operators, freight forwarders, exporters, and industrial investors to map out regional supply chain opportunities.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,1,0" data-index-in-node="0">Unified Maritime Ecosystem:</b> The state will officially unveil <b data-path-to-node="10,1,0" data-index-in-node="61">Mission Samudra</b>, a strategic blueprint designed to integrate deep-water ports, minor harbor assets, inland waterways, manufacturing clusters, and multimodal rail-road links into a unified logistics ecosystem.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,2,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,2,0" data-index-in-node="0">Rapid Volume Escalation:</b> Developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the Kerala government and <b data-path-to-node="10,2,0" data-index-in-node="110">Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ)</b>, Vizhinjam has handled over <b data-path-to-node="10,2,0" data-index-in-node="184">2 million TEUs within 18 months</b> of commercial operations while hosting the world's largest ultra-large container mother vessels (ULCVs).</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,3,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,3,0" data-index-in-node="0">Slashing Logistics Costs &amp; Transit Times:</b> Direct EXIM services from Vizhinjam are projected to cut regional export transit times significantly reducing US-bound sea transit from 60 days to 35 days and European routes from 40 days to 22 days while bypassing expensive foreign transshipment hubs like Colombo.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,4,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,4,0" data-index-in-node="0">Open-Access Gateway Assurance:</b> The Chief Minister’s Office confirmed that India's first automated, deep-water port will continue operating as a <b data-path-to-node="10,4,0" data-index-in-node="144">common-user, open-access facility</b>, guaranteeing non-discriminatory berthing rights for all global shipping lines.</p></li></ul>