Thiruvananthapuram, The container ship, 'San Fernando' from China, arrived at Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL) in Kerala on Thursday, marking the first arrival of such a ship at India's largest transshipment port.

The mothership was given a water salvo by four tugs, which towed it to the dock.

The 300-metre long cargo ship San Fernando will offload 1,900 containers at VISL on Friday as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launches the first phase of operation of the port.

Motherships contain large containers that will be transferred to other ships and later delivered to other ports in the country and abroad.

The inauguration ceremony will be attended by several dignitaries including Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Union and State Ministers, officials and members of the public.

"The dream is getting closer to the shore. The first mothership is arriving at Vizhinjam port in Kerala. San Fernando will be officially welcomed by Kerala tomorrow," Vijayan said in a Facebook post on Thursday.

Equipped with modern equipment and advanced automation and IT systems, Vizhinjam will become India's first semi-automated port, which is expected to be fully operational in September or October 2024.

Kerala Ports and Cooperation Minister V.N. Vasavan said.