New Delhi: India’s Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala has emerged as a key maritime hub amid rising tensions in West Asia and disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz crisis. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor praised the port, saying it is drawing global attention during a crucial period.
Tharoor, who represents Thiruvananthapuram, said the deep-water port has witnessed a sharp rise in activity, with nearly 100 ships reportedly waiting to dock or enter the facility. He noted that the ongoing uncertainty in the Gulf region has pushed shipping companies to look for reliable alternatives.
Calling Vizhinjam a “global necessity,” Tharoor said the port has crossed the milestone of handling one million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in record time. He also highlighted that expansion work under the second phase of the project is progressing rapidly.
Located near Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, Vizhinjam International Seaport is India’s first deep-water transshipment port. It has been developed to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign ports for cargo transshipment and improve India’s maritime trade competitiveness.
The port is operated by Adani Group, while the Government of Kerala holds a majority stake in the project.
Experts believe that if instability in the Hormuz region continues, Vizhinjam could play an increasingly important strategic and economic role for India in global shipping networks.