First mothership docks at Adani Group's Vizhinjam port. See pics
San Fernando, a 300-meter-long cargo ship, will offload 1,900 containers at VISL on Friday, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launching the port's first phase of operations
Container ship, 'San Fernando', from China, berthed at Kerala's Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL) marks the first arrival of such a vessel at India's largest transhipment port. (Photo: Vizhinjam International Seaport).
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The mothership carries large containers which will be transferred to other ships and later transported to other ports in the country and abroad. (Photo: Vizhinjam International Seaport).
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The inaugural ceremony will be attended by several dignitaries, including Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Central and state ministers, officials, and members of the public.(Photo: Vizhinjam International Seaport).
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Equipped with modern equipment and advanced automation and IT systems, Vizhinjam will become India's first semi-automated port, expected to be fully commissioned in September or October 2024.(Photo: Vizhinjam International Seaport).
"It is a natural port with depths between 20 and 24 meters. We have found that the ocean bottom here is rocky, which is very rare. (Photo: Vizhinjam International Seaport).
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Elsewhere, we would have to dredge to attain such depths," Kerala Minister for Ports and Cooperatives V N Vasavan said. (Photo: Vizhinjam International Seaport).