V.O.Chidambaranar Port excels in container handling

V.O. Chidambaranar Port has showcased exemplary performance in containerized cargo operations, handling 5,81,557 TEUs in the current financial year up to December 2024, representing a growth of 7%, compared to the 5,43,531 TEUs handled during the same period in the previous year. Over the last decade, the Port's container handling has seen a steady rise, increasing from 5,07,735 TEUs in 2013–14 to 7,47,363 TEUs in 2023–24, reflecting its commitment to operational efficiency and capacity enhancement.

VOC Port has maintained its position as the top performer among major ports, with an exceptional Average Container Turnaround Time of 19.92 hours up to December 2024 in the ongoing financial year. The Port has also ranked first in both the financial years 2022–23 and 2023–24, reinforcing its leadership in container handling efficiency. In addition, the terminals offer 30 container moves / hour at par with global standards.

With a combined capacity of 1.6 Million TEUs per annum, the container terminals at V.O. Chidambaranar Port, Tuticorin International Container Terminal, Dakshin Bharat Gateway Terminals, and PSA SICAL Container Terminal cater to growing demand. The Port is also supported by 2 Inland Container Depots and 15 Container Freight Stations in the vicinity, ensuring smooth container flow to and from the Port.

The terminals of the Port operates eight sailings to Colombo every week. Additionally, it offers sailing to Mundra, Pipavav, Cochin, Jebal Ali, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, China and far east countries, strengthening its international trade connectivity.. 

Shri Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, Chairperson of VOC Port Authority, stated that VOC Port holds immense potential to become a leading hub for gateway and transhipment container traffic in the East coast of India. With its strategic location, evolving infrastructure development and collective commitment, we are poised to seize new opportunities in global trade.