San Fernando, First Mothership Docks at Vizhinjam International Seaport

Thiruvananthapuram- The first mothership has docked at Vizhinjam International Seaport in Thiruvananthapuram. The 300-meter-long container vessel, San Fernando, operated by Maersk, will be unloading about 2,000 containers and moving within the vessel. The port is also expected to accommodate 400 containers.

The arrival of the first mothership at Vizhinjam marks the beginning of commercial operations at the port. The port is expected to eventually become operational, with full services to be launched soon.

"San Fernando's arrival at our harbor symbolizes a remarkable achievement in Indian maritime history. It signals to the world that India's first transshipment terminal and the largest deepwater port have commenced commercial operations," said Karan Adani, Managing Director of Adani Ports and SEZ Limited (APSEZ).

"This port features South Asia's most advanced container handling technology. Once we complete the automation and the Vessel Traffic Management System, Vizhinjam will stand as one of the world's most technologically sophisticated transshipment ports."

" PM Modi has fast-tracked India's rise in the maritime sector with focus on creating world-class port infra, that is positioning our nation as a leading global maritime power. The functioning of Vizhinjam International Seaport is an exemplary success story of the PPP Model. I believe that this port will strengthen India's resolve to become a Viksit Bharat and lead to huge employment & economic growth" Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal said in an event held to welcome the mothership on Friday.

Vizhinjam is the largest private sector investment in Kerala. It is expected to eventually become a hub for major international routes connecting the US, Europe, Africa, and the Far East. The port aims to redirect a significant portion of India's container traffic to domestic markets, thereby optimizing the country's trade structure and reducing its reliance on imports.