Vizhinjam Port
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Overview
Vizhinjam International Seaport is near Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. It is India's first deep-water container transshipment port.
It lies very close to the main east–west international shipping route and has a natural depth of about 20 m, so it can take the largest container ships.
It began commercial operations in 2024 and aims to reduce India's dependence on foreign transshipment hubs such as Colombo and Singapore.
Geography and key facts
- Near Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
- India's first deep-water transshipment port
- Natural depth about 20 m
- Commercial operations from 2024
Why it matters for UPSC
Prelims (2026) asked about its strategic importance; transshipment is a GS-3 topic.
Note for UPSC
Kerala; a deep-water transshipment port close to the east–west shipping lane (not one of the 12 major ports).
Questions cover the coast and state of a port and what makes it distinctive.
Asked in PYQs
- UPSC Prelims 2026 · Q34In what way(s) does the Vizhinjam International Seaport represent a structural shift in India's maritime trade and logistics policy ? Select the answer using the code giv…
Questions from our Prelims bank whose text names Vizhinjam Port.
Key facts
- Type
- Major port
- State / UT
- Kerala
- Coordinates
- 8.373°N, 76.999°E
- Asked in Prelims
- 1 question · 2026
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.