Thiruvananthapuram, India | October 18, 2025 – In a landmark move solidifying its emergence as a global maritime hub, the Vizhinjam International Seaport has officially launched its Ship-to-Ship bunkering service, positioning itself among premier global refueling destinations such as Colombo, Singapore, and Fujairah.
Kerala Ports Minister Shri V. N. Vasavan, who hailed the launch as a crucial milestone in India’s maritime development. The STS bunkering facility is expected to make Vizhinjam a preferred refueling stop for international shipping lines by offering a vital service that eliminates the need for vessels to divert from their route or depend on foreign ports for fuel.
First Operation Marks New Era in Indian Bunkering
The STS bunkering service was inaugurated with a successful fueling operation conducted by Adani Bunkering Company’s MT Shaun 1, which delivered Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) to the MSC Akitata, a mainline container vessel, at the port’s anchorage.
This choice of fuel highlights Vizhinjam’s alignment with IMO 2020 environmental regulations, emphasizing its readiness to serve compliant, environmentally responsible fleets.
Strategic Location and Natural Advantages Set Vizhinjam Apart
Vizhinjam’s bunkering ambitions are backed by a unique combination of natural deep-water access and geostrategic positioning:
- Closest Indian port to global shipping lanes: Located just 10 nautical miles from the busy East-West international sea route, Vizhinjam allows ships to refuel with minimal deviation—saving both time and fuel costs.
- Unmatched natural draft: With a natural depth of up to 24 meters, the port can handle Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) and other massive cargo ships without capital dredging, unlike many competing ports.
These features make Vizhinjam not only a fueling hub, but also an ideal transshipment point for global cargo movement.
India’s First Deep-Water Transshipment Port Comes of Age
Owned and developed by the Government of Kerala through Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL), the port’s construction and operations are being carried out by the Adani Group under a long-term concession agreement. This collaborative model aims to reclaim up to 75% of Indian transshipped cargo currently routed through foreign ports.
The launch of the STS bunkering service marks a crucial step in that mission — transforming Vizhinjam into a one-stop global maritime facility offering fueling, transshipment, and comprehensive port services under one roof.
National Impact and Economic Uplift
With the launch of the bunkering facility, Vizhinjam is poised to drive port-led economic growth not only for Kerala, but for India as a whole. Touted as the “Gateway of South India” and the “Engine of the Nation’s Development,” the port is expected to spark significant business activity, catalyze logistics operations, and generate thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities.
This development marks a defining moment in India’s maritime sector, strengthening the nation’s position on the global shipping map.
About Vizhinjam International Seaport
Vizhinjam International Seaport is India’s first deep-water, all-weather container transshipment port, located near Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. The port is owned and developed by the Government of Kerala through Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd. (VISL), with the Adani Group serving as the concessionaire responsible for construction and operations.
Strategically situated just 10 nautical miles from the international shipping route, Vizhinjam offers a natural draft of up to 24 meters, making it capable of handling the world’s largest cargo vessels. The port aims to transform India’s maritime logistics by reclaiming transshipment cargo and emerging as a premier global gateway.
Source: Vizhinjam International Seaport