Amid rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz disrupting global shipping routes, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has highlighted an surprising alternative for India, pointing to a surge in exercise at Kerala’s Vizhinjam Port in his Thiruvananthapuram constituency.
In a submit on X, Tharoor mentioned practically 100 vessels are both queued or searching for berthing on the port, signalling a shift in world maritime site visitors. “The Strait of Hormuz disaster has shifted world delivery eyes to my constituency,” he wrote, calling it a big second for India’s maritime ambitions.
Vizhinjam Port, the nation’s first deep-water transshipment hub, has seen speedy development in current months. Tharoor famous that the port dealt with its one millionth TEU (twenty-foot equal unit) in report time and is now fast-tracking Section II enlargement. In March 2026 alone, it dealt with 61 vessels, marking a brand new operational excessive.
The disruptions within the Strait of Hormuz, a key world delivery chokepoint, have pushed firms to search for steady alternate options. Tharoor mentioned Vizhinjam is more and more rising as a dependable gateway on this evolving state of affairs.
“From dealing with its 1 millionth TEU in report time to fast-tracking Section II, Vizhinjam is formally India’s transshipment reply to the world. Once I first helped deliver within the tender bid that made the port a actuality, it was a long-shot undertaking with loads of sceptics and critics,” he mentioned.
Recalling the undertaking’s early days, Tharoor mentioned it as soon as confronted vital doubt however has now reworked right into a important maritime asset.
“With the world on the lookout for a brand new, dependable gateway, Vizhinjam has answered the decision,” he added, describing the port as a “world necessity.”
The port’s enlargement plans additional spotlight its rising significance, with work underway to allow simultaneous berthing of as much as 5 motherships, which is predicted to considerably improve capability.
Tharoor additionally positioned Vizhinjam as a severe competitor to world hubs akin to Colombo and Singapore, suggesting it may set new benchmarks in transshipment.
“61 vessels dealt with in March 2026 alone, a brand new report. 100 berthing calls pending. Enlargement underway to accommodate 5 motherships concurrently. We’re witnessing the start of a maritime big that does not simply compete with world hubs like Colombo or Singapore; it units a brand new normal,” he wrote.
As geopolitical tensions reshape world commerce routes, Vizhinjam’s rise underscores how strategic infrastructure can flip disruption into alternative, strengthening India’s place in world delivery.
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