📷 Image Credits: The Hindu
The historic arrival of the first mothership at Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala has marked a new chapter in the maritime history of India. On July 11, 2024, the Marshall Island-flagged container ship, San Fernando, owned by SFL Corporation Ltd. and chartered by Maersk (AP Moller Group), Denmark, reached the seaport, carrying cargo from the Xiamen Port in China. This significant event has scripted a new chapter in the maritime history of the country, as it becomes India’s first deep-water container transshipment port.
The arrival of the mothership was a grand affair, with Adani Port pilots boarding the ship early in the morning when it reached the start of the passage leading to the berth. The ship, carrying 1,930 containers, was then carefully navigated through the buoyed channel to enter the tranquil breakwater area inside the port. With the assistance of tugs, the ship was smoothly berthed at the port, marking a momentous occasion in the development of the port.
The vessel is set to begin the process of offloading the containers, a task expected to be completed by afternoon. Following the official reception planned by the Kerala government, the ship will depart for Colombo on July 12. The Vizhinjam International Seaport project, a flagship infrastructure initiative promoted by the Kerala government in partnership with the Adani Group, has been in the works since 2015. Despite facing delays, the port will officially begin its trial run on July 12, with the revised scheduled commissioning set for December 2024.
This arrival signifies a monumental moment for Kerala’s maritime history and underscores the commitment of the Left Democratic Front government to the state’s development. With the potential to create over 5,000 direct job opportunities and boost various sectors like industry, commerce, transportation, and tourism, the Vizhinjam Port is poised to become a significant player in the container business landscape of the country.
