In what way(s) does the Vizhinjam International Seaport represent a structural shift in India's maritime trade and logistics policy ? 1. By functioning exclusively as a domestic cargo hub to reduce reliance on coastal shipping and eliminate the need for foreign collaborations. 2. By focusing primarily on passenger cruise tourism and heritage shipping to increase Kerala's profile as a maritime heritage destination. 3. By leveraging its natural deep draft and strategic location to reduce dependence on foreign trans-shipment ports, enhance revenue retention, and reposition India in regional maritime trade. Select the answer using the code given below :
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2
- (c) 2 and 3
- (d) 3 only ✓ UPSC's answer
Why the answer is (d)
• Vizhinjam, near Thiruvananthapuram, is India's first dedicated deep-water container trans-shipment port, developed by Adani Ports under a PPP with Kerala and commissioned in 2024–25.
• Its natural draft of about 20 m lets it berth the largest container vessels, and it lies within 10 nautical miles of the busy east–west international shipping lane.
• Statement 3 is correct: roughly three-quarters of India's trans-shipment cargo was handled abroad at Colombo, Singapore and Jebel Ali; Vizhinjam aims to bring that business home, retain the revenue and forex, and make India a regional hub.
• Statement 1 is wrong: it is an international trans-shipment hub, not a domestic-only port, and it was built with foreign shipping-line collaboration (e.g. MSC).
• Statement 2 is wrong: the port is about container trans-shipment, not cruise tourism or heritage shipping; hence 3 only.
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 only
- Vizhinjam is an international trans-shipment hub built with foreign partners, not a domestic-only port.
- (b) 1 and 2
- Both 1 and 2 misstate its purpose; it is neither domestic-only nor cruise-focused.
- (c) 2 and 3
- Statement 2 is wrong: the port is about container trans-shipment, not cruise tourism.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026, held on 24 May 2026. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.