Thiruvananthapuram, June 23 (IANS) A port project that spent years waiting to become a reality is now racing into the global maritime league. Adani Vizhinjam International Seaport will welcome its 1000th commercial vessel on June 24, marking a major milestone less than two years after ships began calling at the port.

In a statement issued here by the Port, it said the MSC Luciana, a mothership operated by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), is expected to berth at Vizhinjam around 5 pm, becoming the landmark vessel in the port’s rapid journey.

The 1000-vessel milestone comes within a short span after the arrival of the first commercial vessel, San Fernando of Maersk, on July 11, 2024.

Full-scale commercial operations began on December 3, 2024.

From its first vessel to the 1000th call, Vizhinjam has moved at a pace that has drawn attention in international shipping circles.

The port’s deep draft, natural harbour advantage and location close to the busy East-West international shipping route have helped it attract some of the world’s largest container ships.

For Kerala, the development is being seen as a turning point in its maritime ambitions.

For decades, the state watched global container traffic pass its shores while nearby foreign ports handled India-bound cargo.

Vizhinjam was conceived to change that equation by creating a transshipment hub closer to the main shipping route.

The arrival of the 1000th vessel also strengthens expectations that the port can help India reduce its dependence on overseas transshipment centres such as Colombo, Singapore and Dubai.

The milestone is significant as global shipping companies increasingly seek efficient hubs capable of handling ultra-large container vessels. Vizhinjam, with its modern infrastructure and ability to accommodate mega ships, is positioning itself as a serious player in the regional maritime network.

What began as a long-awaited infrastructure dream has now entered a new chapter, with Vizhinjam no longer waiting for ships to arrive but becoming a destination for the world’s shipping giants.

–IANS

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