Calling it a “landmark day” for Kerala and India’s maritime future, Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd Managing Director Karan Adani on Saturday said the Vizhinjam International Seaport is set to redefine India’s role in global shipping, as the foundation stone for Phase 2 of the project was laid.
Speaking at the event, Adani described Vizhinjam as standing “at the intersection of history and the future”, recalling Kerala’s centuries-old role as a gateway connecting India to global trade, cultures and ideas. He said Vizhinjam represents a renewal of that legacy, this time backed by world-class infrastructure, global scale and a clear national purpose.
Adani stressed that projects of such national importance transcend political timelines and party affiliations. He acknowledged the foundational role played by former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy, under whose leadership the Vizhinjam project was awarded and received its initial momentum. According to Adani, Chandy’s vision of Vizhinjam as a transformative opportunity for Kerala laid the groundwork for the port’s current progress.
He also credited Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for carrying forward that vision with “exceptional resolve”, saying large infrastructure projects succeed not only through engineering excellence but through political clarity, administrative discipline and long-term commitment. “We would not have been able to complete this project without the continuous support of the Hon’ble Chief Minister,” Adani said, describing Vijayan as “the biggest asset an investor can ask for” while executing a complex greenfield project.
The Adani Ports MD also acknowledged bipartisan support for Vizhinjam, thanking Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor for backing the project. Such cooperation, he said, sends a strong signal to investors and the global industry that Kerala’s long-term interests rise above political differences. He termed Vizhinjam a strong example of cooperative federalism, noting the presence and support of Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and the Centre’s port-led development push under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Highlighting the port’s early performance, Adani said Vizhinjam has demonstrated what is possible when vision, execution and partnership align. Within just 15 months of commercial operations, the port became the fastest in India to handle one million TEUs, firmly placing Kerala on the global shipping map, he noted.
With the launch of Phase 2, Vizhinjam is set for a major capacity expansion. Adani announced an additional investment of Rs 16,000 crore under Phase 2, taking the cumulative investment commitment to Rs 30,000 crore — the largest by any business house in Kerala. Once completed, the port’s capacity will scale from 1 million TEUs to 5.7 million TEUs by 2029.
Adani said Vizhinjam will emerge as the largest transshipment port in the Indian subcontinent and one of the most technologically advanced ports in India, serving as a “lighthouse” for how future Indian ports should operate.
In his closing remarks, Adani thanked the Kerala government, the Union government, all political parties, and the people of Thiruvananthapuram and Kerala for their continued support. He said the Adani Group remains committed to upholding the trust placed in it and delivering on the promise of making Vizhinjam a globally competitive maritime hub.
Also Read: Vizhinjam Port: PM Modi Jabs CPI(M) As Adani Delivers Kerala’s Dream Project https://www.vibesofindia.com/vizhinjam-port-pm-modi-jabs-cpim-as-adani-delivers-keralas-dream-project/
