VOC Port invests ₹739 crore to modernise berths, boost cargo capacity
The V.O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port Authority in Thoothukudi is expanding its infrastructure to handle increasing cargo traffic. The port has reported handling 14.73 million tonnes of cargo up to July 2026, including 2.95 lakh TEUs of container traffic and 8.84 million tonnes of major bulk cargo.
According to official projections, the port aims to handle 48.30 million tonnes of cargo in the financial year 2027-28, rising to 50.72 million tonnes in 2028-29 and further to 53.25 million tonnes in 2029-30. These figures include both container and bulk cargo, with container volumes expected to grow from 19.31 million tonnes to 21.29 million tonnes and bulk cargo from 28.99 million tonnes to 31.96 million tonnes over the same period.
To meet this growing demand, the port is upgrading Berth No. 7 into a modern container terminal at an estimated cost of ₹517.19 crore. The 370-metre berth will see its draft increased from 11.7 metres to 14.20 metres, allowing it to handle container vessels of up to 12,100 TEUs. The annual handling capacity of the upgraded terminal is expected to be 4.2 lakh TEUs, with completion scheduled for 2029.
In addition, the Multi cargo Berth No. 10 is being developed at a cost of ₹87.38 crore. The new berth will have an initial capacity of four million tonnes per annum, with provision to enhance this to 10.22 million tonnes per annum after the draft is increased to 14.20 metres. The project is targeted for completion by November 30, 2026.
The port is also expanding its storage and connectivity infrastructure. A 40-acre Custom Bond Area is being developed at a cost of ₹61.64 crore to augment bulk cargo stacking capacity and provide improved road connectivity to the upcoming green-hydrogen plant areas and stackyards of north cargo Berth-II and III.
Other projects include a 3 million litres per day sea water reverse osmosis desalination plant at a cost of ₹72.66 crore, and a Seafarer club in VOC Wharf, intended to improve facilities for mariners.
Speaking on these developments, Susanta Kumar Purohit, chairperson, VOC Port Authority, said the port's ongoing development initiatives are aimed at enhancing cargo-handling efficiency and strengthening logistics infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of trade and industry.
These investments come at a time when the port is positioning itself as a key player in India's maritime trade. The expansion of container handling capacity and the addition of new berths are expected to reduce turnaround times and improve operational efficiency for shipping lines and exporters. The port's focus on green infrastructure, such as the desalination plant and connectivity to green-hydrogen projects, also aligns with the national push towards sustainable development.
With cargo traffic projected to grow steadily over the next few years, the VOC Port's infrastructure upgrades are crucial to ensure that the port can handle the increasing volumes without congestion. The completion of these projects will likely strengthen the port's competitive position among Indian ports and support the economic growth of the southern Tamil Nadu region.
As the projects progress, stakeholders in the trade will be watching closely for timely completion and tangible improvements in cargo handling capabilities.
