V.O. Chidambaranar Port Holds Interactive Meeting with Port Users to Strengthen Relationship
Tuticorin:
Port Wings News Network:
As part of its continued engagement with trade and industry stakeholders, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority organised an interactive meeting with Port users on 8 September 2026.
The meeting was chaired by Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, Chairperson, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, and focused on strengthening coordination, improving operational efficiency, facilitating cargo growth and further enhancing ease of doing business at the Port.
The Chairperson briefed participants on the Port’s infrastructure capabilities, recent achievements, ongoing development initiatives and future plans. He also highlighted the increasing adoption of technology and AI-enabled applications across Port operations.
STRENGTHENING MAINLINE VESSEL CONNECTIVITY
The interaction enabled Port users, terminal operators and other stakeholders to raise operational requirements and discuss measures to improve cargo movement, connectivity, supporting infrastructure and safety.
A key area of discussion was strengthening mainline vessel connectivity and increasing container volumes through VOC Port. The Port currently handles container vessels of around 5,000 TEU capacity, while discussions focused on creating the conditions necessary to attract larger mainline vessels of around 12,000 TEU capacity.
Container terminal operators informed the meeting that plans are being pursued to bring mainline vessel services to Tuticorin in the coming months, strengthening direct connectivity with key markets in Europe and the United States.
The Chairperson highlighted the Integrated Incentive Scheme 2026–28, which offers eligible concessions of up to 90 per cent to support the introduction of such services. He assured the trade of the Port Authority’s support and encouraged stakeholders to consolidate cargo volumes and facilitate additional mainline and ad-hoc vessel calls.
ADDITIONAL CONTAINER SCANNERS PLANNED
Several measures to strengthen ease of doing business and supporting infrastructure were also discussed. In view of increasing container volumes and higher scanning requirements, the Port Authority assured stakeholders that additional container scanners would be commissioned.
The Port will also examine alternative power supply arrangements for operational requirements wherever feasible and proceed with the introduction of electric trailers.
T. Ramesh, Senior Deputy Traffic Manager, informed Port users about the upcoming additional Truck Parking Terminal, proposed over an area of approximately 50,000 sq. metres near the Port link road. The facility is expected to improve truck movement and provide additional infrastructure for efficient cargo aggregation and evacuation.
He also informed participants that the development of Multi Cargo Berth No. 10, with a capacity of 10.22 million tonnes, is nearing completion, further augmenting the Port’s cargo-handling infrastructure.
Safety and operational preparedness formed another important part of the interaction. The Chairperson announced that regular monthly training programmes would be conducted for Port users to strengthen safety awareness and preparedness across the Port ecosystem.
Emphasising the importance of sustained engagement with trade and industry, Susanta Kumar Purohit said that coordinated efforts among the Port Authority, Port users, terminal operators and concerned agencies would be central to increasing cargo volumes, strengthening vessel connectivity and improving the overall competitiveness of the Port.
He encouraged stakeholders to make effective use of the Port’s infrastructure, facilities and incentive schemes and assured continued support from the Port Authority towards improving operational efficiency, safety and ease of doing business.
Rajesh Soundararajan, IAS, Deputy Chairperson; J. Kingston Neel Durai, Deputy Conservator; A. Ramasamy, Chief Mechanical Engineer; T. Ramesh, Senior Deputy Traffic Manager; Sandeep Alluri, Senior Deputy Chief Accounts Officer; and Balaji Ratnam, Superintending Engineer, participated in the meeting along with representatives of Port users, terminal operators, Customs and other stakeholders.
About The Author
