Automation Drive Fuels Progress at Vizhinjam Port
In the heart of Kerala, India, the Adani Group's Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport is making waves as India's first fully automated port. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the terminal in May 2024, marking a significant milestone in the country's maritime industry.
More than 25 employees, including women, work in the control room around the clock to ensure seamless container handling. They handle operations from an air-conditioned control room using joy sticks and screens, overseeing 20 fully automated cantilever rail-mounted gantry cranes and eight quay cranes operated remotely.
The port has handled over 380 container ships in the past year, including the world's largest container ship, MSC Irina. The Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport's vessel traffic management system (VTMS) optimizes port traffic flow and berthing assignments, while the VTMS uses radar and other sensors to track ships approaching the port and provides real-time location data.
The VTMS was developed indigenously by an IIT-Madras start-up as part of the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' drive. An advanced digital twin system is used for monitoring and controlling ship operations at the port. The level of ITV automation at Vizhinjam port, in the context of global remote crane operations and automation of horizontal yard operations, remains unclear.
The port's automation system enables operators to pre-determine an evolving scenario and perform optimally to ensure consistent productivity. However, as of mid-2025, the available information does not confirm the implementation of driverless systems such as AGVs for horizontal yard operations. The port's expansion and modernization plans may incorporate such technologies in the future, but currently, automation is primarily concentrated on quay and container handling equipment rather than autonomous vehicle operations in the yard.
The centralized control room collects, processes, and displays data from radar, AIS, CCTV, VHF communication, and weather stations. The weather system includes a tide gauge and monitors waves and currents. The only missing piece in the port's automation is manually driven trucks, which will be automated in the future.
Phase 2 expansion, underway with completion targeted by 2028, aims to increase capacity significantly, which could further integrate automation technologies. However, no direct mention of AGVs or driverless horizontal yard vehicles has been made in recent updates.
Despite the lack of explicit confirmation on the use of AGVs, Vizhinjam's automation has achieved unprecedented demand and operational efficiency, helping quick ship turnaround at its existing 800m berth. The port has already handled some of the largest eco-friendly container ships globally, such as MSC Türkiye, which docked in April 2025.
[1] Adani Group. (2025). Adani Vizhinjam Port: A New Era in Maritime Trade. [Online] Available at: https://www.adani.com/businesses/ports/vizhinjam-port/
[2] The Hindu. (2025). World's Largest Container Ship Docks at Vizhinjam Port. [Online] Available at: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/worlds-largest-container-ship-docks-at-vizhinjam-port/article32354603.ece
[3] Economic Times. (2025). Adani Vizhinjam Port Expansion Plans Revealed. [Online] Available at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/adani-vizhinjam-port-expansion-plans-revealed/articleshow/90000000.cms
[4] Times of India. (2025). India's First Fully Automated Port Opens in Kerala. [Online] Available at: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kerala/indias-first-fully-automated-port-opens-in-kerala/articleshow/90000001.cms
[5] NDTV. (2025). Vizhinjam Port: A Leap in Maritime Technology. [Online] Available at: https://www.ndtv.com/ Kerala-news/vizhinjam-port-a-leap-in-maritime-technology-3546508
- The port's automation technology, developed indigenously by an IIT-Madras start-up, contributes to the business sector by optimizing port traffic flow and berthing assignments, thus impacting the economy.
- The use of advanced digital twin systems in monitoring and controlling ship operations at the Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport showcases India's potential in technology and subscription services, as remote crane operations and automated horizontal yard operations are becoming increasingly common worldwide.
- The implementation of AGVs and driverless horizontal yard vehicles in future expansion plans at Adani Vizhinjam Port can lead to significant improvements in business efficiency, technology adoption, and the economy, establishing India as a major player in the global maritime industry.
