Vizhinjam Seaport Berths India’s Deepest Container Ship, Setting National Record

Vizhinjam International Seaport, developed and operated by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), has achieved a national record by berthing MSC Verona, a container vessel with a draft of 17.1 metres, the deepest ever handled in India.

This milestone coincided with MSC Verona becoming the 500th vessel berthed at Vizhinjam, just 10 months after the port began commercial operations in December 2024.

Among the vessels berthed so far, 28 were Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs), the highest number recorded at a single port in India. These figures highlight the port’s growing importance in India’s maritime sector and global trade.

The draft of a ship, which is the vertical distance from the waterline to the lowest point of the hull, determines the minimum water depth needed for safe berthing. The recent berthing of MSC Verona at Vizhinjam, which requires a deep draft, shows the port’s ability to handle large vessels. Vizhinjam has a natural depth of 18–20 metres and minimal littoral drift.

Earlier this month, Vizhinjam also handled MSC Virginia, a container ship with a 16.95-metre draft, the second-deepest container vessel berth in India. Port authorities explained that “safe draft” operations require at least 1.5 metres clearance between the hull bottom and seabed, showing that Vizhinjam’s depth exceeds 18.6 metres.

Since starting commercial operations in December 2024, Vizhinjam has handled 500 vessels and processed 1.1 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), surpassing its expected annual capacity in less than a year. This shows the port’s growing importance and its rise as a major transshipment hub.

The port’s ability to accommodate the world’s largest container vessels is helping position it as a critical gateway for India’s trade and connecting it to major global shipping routes.

Officials from the Ministry of Ports and Shipping said the increasing number of ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) calling at Vizhinjam shows its strategic role in India’s shipping network. Experts say that Vizhinjam is becoming a preferred port for deep-draft vessels.

The government is planning an Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Vizhinjam to make immigration and customs clearance for crew changes faster. The ICP is expected to be operational within six months, coinciding with the start of exim cargo movement by road. Currently, crew changes are processed at Kochi, requiring vessels to wait or change crew at another location. The ICP facility will enable crew change clearance directly at Vizhinjam, improving efficiency and reducing turnaround time.

References: The Hindu, TOI

Source: Maritime Shipping News