V.O. Chidambaranar Port Strengthens Ties With Tiruppur’s Textile & Coir Industries With Roadshow
Tiruppur:
Port Wings News Network:
To cement trade relations with the region’s vital Textile, Garment, and Coir sectors and to address concerns of its stakeholders and extend its support in the light of recent changes in the international trade, V.O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port Authority on 10 October organized a high-impact Roadshow in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu.
The event was held under the theme ‘Tuticorin Port: Your Preferred Direct Gateway to Global Markets’, and drew a strong attendance of over 100 participants from the core industrial clusters of Tiruppur, Pollachi, and Karur. The gathering included key representatives from associations like the Tiruppur Exporters’ Association, Pollachi Chamber of Commerce, and the Karur Textile Association.
Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, Chairperson of VOC Port Authority, who participated in the high-level Open House Discussion, affirmed the Port’s dedication to its northern hinterland.
Susanta Kumar Purohit stated: “The Tiruppur, Pollachi, and Karur regions are the powerhouse of the state’s export economy. This Roadshow marks a strategic commitment from VOC Port to act as a seamless and competitive maritime gateway for these industries. Our goal is not just to offer vast capacity, but to ensure unparalleled cost efficiency and convenience, making us the undisputed preferred port for the textile and coir trade in the South.”
The roadshow highlighted a range of measures and infrastructure designed to enhance cost-efficiency and streamline logistics for exporters.
Key Operational Highlights and Incentives
VOC Port showcased its concerted efforts to align its services with the needs of the trade, mirroring the approach taken in its recent engagement with Coimbatore stakeholders.
Direct Export Facility: The Port emphasized the seamless operation of its 24/7 Direct Port Entry (DPE) facility for export containers, which was commissioned in April 2025 and is set to significantly boost container throughput.
Cost-Efficiency Measures: Exporters were briefed on financial benefits, including a 50% rebate on Vessel Related Charges (VRC) for coastal imports, particularly those from Kandla, and extended free storage days for coastal containers.
Customized Engagement: The event included strategic breakout sessions specifically “Focusing Tiruppur,” “Focusing Pollachi,” and “Focusing Karur,” to address specific issues like incentive schemes, road and rail connectivity improvements, and container availability.
Direct Interaction with Trade Bodies to Address Concerns
A crucial part of the Roadshow was the dedicated stakeholder interaction sessions. The Chairperson, along with the Deputy Chairman Rajesh Soundararajan, engaged directly with senior representatives of the Trade Associations in an Open House Discussion to cover critical areas such as infrastructure requirements, mainline connectivity, commercial aspects, and Customs clearance procedures.
Furthermore, an ‘Interactive one-on-one session’ was held where Port officials and service providers rotated between individuals to address specific exporter challenges. This session was vital for gathering direct suggestions, developing actionable solutions, and formalising a commitment to follow-up actions by the Port Authority.
Robust Port Infrastructure
The Port’s operational capabilities were underscored by its world-class infrastructure:
Terminal Capacity: The Port’s two container terminals offer a combined capacity exceeding 1 million TEUs.
Deep Draft: The Port maintains a working draft of 14.20 metres, allowing it to accommodate vessels up to 8,000 TEUs.
Productivity: The terminals achieve an impressive throughput of over 30 container moves per hour, ensuring fast turnaround times that align with global benchmarks.
About The Author
