Kochi: The much touted Vizhinjam International Seaport received its first container ship ‘San Fernando’ signaling the beginning of the port’s trial operation on Thursday.
The 8,000 to 9,000 TEU vessel came from Xiamen Port in China via Colombo in Sri Lanka carrying around 2,000 containers to unload at Vizhinjam.The vessel was welcomed with a water salute, led by the large tug Ocean Prestige and smaller tugs.The ship will depart for Colombo on July 12. Fitted with modern equipment and advanced automation and IT systems, Vizhinjam will be India’s first semi-automated port.Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the port on July 12.
Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal will grace the occasion.The project is promoted by Kerala in association with the Adani Group through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt Ltd (AVPPL) was formed for this purpose. The construction work commenced on December 5, 2015. Work on Phase 2 and 3 of is expected to be completed by 2028.
