In what way(s) does the Vizhinjam International Seaport represent a structural shift in India's maritime trade and logistics policy?
- By functioning exclusively as a domestic cargo hub to reduce reliance on coastal shipping and eliminate the need for foreign collaborations.
- By focusing primarily on passenger cruise tourism and heritage shipping to increase Kerala's profile as a maritime heritage destination.
- 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:
Correct answer: D
Explanation
Vizhinjam International Seaport in Thiruvananthapuram, commissioned in 2024 and operated by Adani Ports, is India's first dedicated container trans-shipment port. Its 20-metre natural draft and location just 10 nautical miles from the international east-west shipping lane allow it to handle ULCVs and reclaim Indian trans-shipment cargo currently routed via Colombo, Singapore and Salalah, retaining freight revenue domestically. It is neither a purely domestic hub (rejecting 1) nor a cruise/heritage destination (rejecting 2). Only statement 3 captures its strategic structural shift, so the answer is (d).