Vizhinjam Port launches EXIM operations: Keralam CM flags off first container ships and announces launch of Mission Samudra

Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Tuesday flagged off two containers from Vizhinjam, commencing EXIM operations at the international port.

The state Minister for Industries, Information Technology, and Commerce P K Kunhalikutty and Vizhinjam MLA M Vincent had accompanied in the CM’s flag-off ceremony.

Satheesan, in an X post, said the state government held strategic talks with diverse investor groups to identify key opportunities to expand EXIM operations at Vizhinjam.


Read more: Kerala: Vizhinjam International seaport to begin full-scale export-import operations from August 18

The CM also highlighted the state government’s commitment to support the port’s operations by providing comprehensive support, regulatory facilitation, and infrastructure backing to improve the export operations of the port.

"To ensure seamless commercial expansion, the government is committing comprehensive support, regulatory facilitation, and infrastructure backing to help investors expand global export activities through the port," he said.

"The same Arabian Sea, which has shaped our nation for centuries and welcomed travelers from all over the world with open arms, is today opening the historic door to the development of a new era Keralam. Let us move forward together into the new era of prosperity that Vizhinjam opens," The Keralam CM said in a Facebook post.

Concomitant to the initiation of the EXIM operations at Vizhinjam, the Keralam government is also bound to launch Mission Samudra, which is a port-led industrial and logistics development scheme.

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The commencement of the complete EXIM operation at the port follows a successful trial, involving the port's first export container being shipped to Valencia in Spain.

The Vizhinjam deep-water port was developed under a public-private partnership model by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), a subsidiary of the Adani Group. The cost of the project cost Rs 8,867 crore.

The port completed construction in May 2025 and received commercial commissioning certificate in December 2024.