First Container Ship 'San Fernando' Arrives at Vizhinjam Port

The cargo ship 'San Fernando' from China has made history by being the first container ship to dock at Kerala's newly constructed Vizhinjam International Sea Port. This milestone marks the port as India's largest transhipment hub. The ceremony will be attended by various dignitaries, including Kerala's Chief Minister.

In a significant milestone for Indian maritime infrastructure, the cargo ship 'San Fernando' from China arrived at Kerala's Vizhinjam International Sea Port on Thursday. This marks the first container ship to dock at India's largest transhipment port.

The vessel, measuring 300 meters, was ceremoniously greeted with a water salute by four tugboats, which guided it to the dock where it offloaded 1,900 containers. On Friday, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will formally welcome the ship in the presence of Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal.

The Vizhinjam port, equipped with modern technology and advanced IT systems, is slated to become India’s first semi-automated port, ready for full operation by late 2024. The state and Central governments have invested heavily in the project, which is expected to bolster Kerala's economic growth by becoming a hub for container shipping.