VOC Port Creates History by Handling a Record 2,17,332 Tonnes in a Single-Day

Tuticorin:

Port Wings News Network:

V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, has achieved a historic milestone by recording its highest-ever single-day cargo handling of 2,17,332 Tonnes on 5 September 2026, bettering its previous highest-ever single-day cargo handling record of 2,16,631 Metric Tonnes, achieved on 18 February, 2026.

The single-day achievement marks a new benchmark in the Port’s cargo-handling performance. The cargoes contributing to the above achievement of 2,17,332 tonnes of cargo, includes Coal: 62,466 tonnes, Thermal Coal: 49,067 tonnes, Limestone: 20,671 tonnes, Sulphuric Acid: 10,188 tonnes, Palm Oil: 5,400 tonnes, Sugar: 1,771 tonnes, General Cargo: 774 tonnes, Windmill Blades: 68 tonnes and 66,927 tonnes of containerised cargo (3,348 TEUs.).

The Port’s robust cargo-handling performance has continued during the current financial year. In August 2026, V.O. Chidambaranar Port handled 35.35 lakh tonnes of cargo, as against 32.33 lakh tonnes handled during August 2025, registering a growth of 9.36%.

Cumulatively, during the period from April to August 2026, the Port handled 18.27 million tonnes of cargo, compared with 17.89 million tonnes during the corresponding period of the previous financial year, recording a growth of 2.10%.

The sustained growth in cargo throughput underscores the Port’s operational efficiency, enhanced cargo-handling capabilities and continued commitment to delivering efficient and reliable maritime services.

V.O. Chidambaranar Port is equipped with advanced infrastructure to facilitate efficient bulk cargo handling and swift cargo movement.

Presently, two Harbour Mobile Cranes, each with a handling capacity of 124 tonnes, are positioned at North Cargo Berth-3, while seven Harbour Mobile Cranes are deployed at Berths 1 to 7, enhancing the Port’s operational efficiency and capacity to handle higher cargo volumes. The deployment of these high-capacity cranes has further strengthened the Port’s operational efficiency, enhanced cargo-handling capabilities and enabled it to handle increased cargo volumes effectively.

V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority is actively pursuing infrastructure development to enhance its cargo-handling capacity and support future growth. As part of these initiatives, Berth No. 7 is being upgraded into a modern container terminal, followed by the development of Multi Cargo Berth No. 10.

The Port is also undertaking the mechanisation of North Cargo Berth-III for dry bulk cargo handling. In addition, an additional 40-acre Custom Bond Area is being developed to augment cargo storage, handling and evacuation facilities. These developments will enable faster and more efficient cargo handling and movement while supporting future cargo growth and port-led industrial development.

V.O. Chidambaranar Port’s efforts towards strengthening India’s maritime sector are guided by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in transforming India into a global maritime powerhouse and leading the “Blue Economy” by 2047 through the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision and Maritime India Vision 2030, steered by Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, Chairperson, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, while congratulating the collective efforts of the officers and staff of the Port and all stakeholders in achieving this milestone, stated that with the completion of the upcoming infrastructure facilities, VOC Port will further scale up its cargo-handling throughput and strengthen its position as a major maritime gateway on the East Coast, contributing significantly to the growth of trade and the regional economy.