Vizhinjam port gateway cargo operations expected by December 2025

Gateway cargo operations at Vizhinjam International Seaport are now expected to commence only by December 2025 or January 2026, as the construction of a temporary road connecting the port to NH-66 remains unfinished. This delay affects the port’s timeline for becoming a major player in India’s port logistics and supply chain.

According to Divya S Iyer, Managing Director of Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL), efforts are ongoing to ensure a phased rollout of export-import (exim) cargo services in sync with the port’s first full commercial year. “We're planning to initiate exim cargo traffic around December this year,” Iyer stated. "The rollout will be gradual, aligned with infrastructure readiness. Cargo traffic will scale up progressively rather than begin at full capacity."

Since its commercial launch in July 2024, Vizhinjam port has been operating mainly as a transshipment hub, playing a strategic role in shipping ports and freight handling across the Indian Ocean region. The upcoming exim cargo services will significantly boost both regional and international trade, reinforcing the port's relevance in smart port and supply chain systems.

1.7-kilometre temporary road linking the port to NH-66 is nearing completion. This critical access route is expected to be ready by the time gateway services begin, easing the movement of container trucks and reducing potential port congestion in India. However, monsoon-related delays and pending work including a retaining wall along a 150-metre stretch and the widening of adjacent service roads are slowing progress.

Despite earlier assurances from Ports Minister V N Vasavan that gateway operations would start by July 2025, sources indicate the Kerala state government is in no hurry to rush the launch. "Monsoon disruptions and incomplete road infrastructure are key hurdles. Safety and logistics efficiency must be prioritized to avoid contributing to broader issues of India port congestion," a source close to the matter said.

Once fully operational, Vizhinjam is expected to emerge as a smart logistics hub, reducing dependency on foreign transshipment ports and improving the efficiency of India’s freight handling and maritime trade.