VOC Port sees cargo handling boost amid rapid Hinterland growth

THOOTHUKUDI : V.O. Chidambaranar Port in Thoothukudi crossed the 15-million-tonne mark in cargo handling on August 3, for the current financial year 2025–26 – 11 days ahead as compared to the previous financial year.

The Port has handled 14.66 million tonnes of cargo  and 2,89,074 TEUs of containers up to July in the financial year 2025–26, reflecting a 5.37% growth in overall cargo traffic and 9.02% growth in container traffic compared to the 13.91 million tonnes of cargo and 2,65,153 TEUs handled during the same period in the previous financial year 2024–25. This steady growth underscores the Port’s rising prominence as a key driver of maritime trade and economic progress.

The port has also handled 2,98,107 twenty foot equivalent units TEUs up to August 3 in the current fiscal, a growth of 9.75 per cent compared to the 2,71,620 TEUs handled during the corresponding period of the previous financial year, says a release.

The major commodities that have contributed to this achievement include coal, limestone, salt, rock phosphate, edible oil and construction materials. The rapid growth in exports from Tirupur, Coimbatore and Karur, resulted in increase in container volumes.

The port’s primary hinterland is witnessing rapid industrialisation with the proposed man-made-fibre factory by a Singapore-based firm and the footwear manufacturing facility by a Korean firm, coupled with new investments in defence and space technology startups, which augurs well for VOC Ports cargo handling., the release said.

The operationalisation of North Cargo Berth-III for handling bulk cargo inaugurated recently by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be a major contributor to the port’s improved performance, the release said.