VOC Port’s Tuticorin International Container Terminal Commences New Feeder Shuttle Service Between Tuticorin – Colombo
Tuticorin:
Port Wings News Network:
Further strengthening maritime connectivity and enhancing trade opportunities for exporters and importers in the region, V.O. Chidambaranar Port’s Tuticorin International Container Terminal, operated by JM Baxi Group, commenced a new shuttle feeder service connecting Tuticorin and Colombo on 6 June 2026.
The service was inaugurated by Rajesh Soundararajan, IAS, Deputy Chairperson, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, in the presence of C. Deep Kishore Reddy, Terminal Head, Tuticorin International Container Terminal, Capt. Samantha Gurusingh, Ship’s Master and senior officials from the Port and representatives of the shipping fraternity.
The Panama-flagged vessel M.V. Serene Ingrid, with a capacity of 669 TEUs and 60 reefer points will handle 169 TEUs from Tuticorin to Colombo in its first voyage. The shuttle service operating between Tuticorin-Colombo, will call Tuticorin twice a week, with sailing from Tuticorin on Tuesday & Friday and from Colombo on Wednesday & Saturday, providing regular and reliable connectivity between the two ports.
The service also accepts dangerous goods cargo, thereby offering greater flexibility to the trade. The service is chartered by Blue Atlas lines and the vessel agent is United Liner Shipping Services LLP, a JM Baxi Group company.
HANDLED 1.45 LAKH TEUS UPTO MAY 2026
V.O.Chidambaranar Port, one of the fastest growing Major Ports of the country, has handled 1.45 Lakh TEUs of Containers upto May 2026, in this financial year, registering a growth of 6.1 % when compared to the same period of the last financial year (1.37 Lakh TEUs).
During the last financial year 2025-26, the Port has handled 8.67 lakh TEUs of containers, anchoring a growth of 8.93 % Tuticorin International Container Terminal with a 370 m berth, 14.2 m draft and capacity of 600,000 TEUs annually offers a mix of international, coastal, and regional container services connecting South India with Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and major Indian ports.
Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, in his message conveyed that the addition of the new feeder service reflects the Port Authority’s continued commitment to expanding container shipping connectivity, enhancing service offerings and supporting the growth of EXIM trade through V.O. Chidambaranar Port.
With the addition of the upcoming 3rd container terminal at Berth No.7, the VOC Port will have a combined container handling capacity of 1.8 Million TEUs and the Outer harbour project with 5.2 Million TEUs will further reinforce V.O. Chidambaranar Port’s position as the hub for container handling in East Coast of India.
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