The Vizhinjam International Seaport has reached a major milestone, handling its 1,000th vessel in under two years from the start of operations, placing it among the fastest-growing ports in the world. The landmark was achieved on Wednesday with the arrival of MSC Luciana, which was welcomed with a ceremonial water salute.
Since trial operations commenced in July 2024 and commercial services began in December the same year, the port has witnessed rapid growth. It has already processed more than two million TEUs of cargo, becoming the quickest port in India to achieve that feat.
The port's progress has continued despite disruptions to global shipping caused by conflicts in West Asia. Among the vessels it has accommodated are 67 ultra-large container ships, including MSC Irina, regarded as the world's largest container vessel, and MSC Verona, one of the deepest-draft ships to dock at an Indian port.
Operational performance has also improved steadily. In May, the port recorded its highest-ever monthly throughput, handling 1,30,863 TEUs across 55 vessels, surpassing its previous record set in January 2026. During the period, crane productivity remained above 30 moves per hour.
Vizhinjam had earlier welcomed its 500th vessel within ten months of launching commercial operations. Supporting this growth has been Waterline Shipping and Logistics Private Ltd, a Thiruvananthapuram-based firm that has managed mooring operations for every vessel to arrive at the port, beginning with Zhen Hua 15 in October 2023.
The company relies on a team drawn entirely from the local coastal community. Its 28-member workforce has received specialised training in advanced mooring systems, including the Shore Tension System introduced at Vizhinjam, helping improve safety, reduce wave impact and enhance berth efficiency.
