VOC Port Tuticorin Registers Impressive 6% Cargo Growth in FY26
The V O Chidambaranar (VOC) Port, strategically located in Tuticorin, has demonstrated remarkable performance in the current fiscal year. According to recent data, the port managed to handle an impressive 35.97 million tonnes of cargo during the period spanning from April 2025 to January 2026. This represents a significant 6% increase compared to the 33.94 million tonnes recorded during the same timeframe in the previous fiscal year.
Record-Breaking Monthly Cargo Achievement
In a landmark achievement, the port set a new benchmark by handling its highest-ever monthly cargo volume in January 2026. The port successfully managed 4 million tonnes of cargo in that single month, surpassing the previous record of 3.95 million tonnes set in March 2024. This milestone underscores the port's growing operational efficiency and capacity.
Substantial Growth Across Key Commodities
The port's performance during the first ten months of FY26 was bolstered by substantial growth across several major commodity categories. The detailed breakdown reveals:
- Industrial Coal: Recorded a growth of 12.78%
- Construction Materials: Witnessed an extraordinary increase of 92.10%
- Rock Phosphate: Grew by 12.65%
- Fertilisers: Showed a significant rise of 40.12%
- Fertiliser Raw Materials: Increased by 11.51%
- Edible Oil: Registered growth of 17.52%
Container Traffic and Infrastructure Development
The port also reported a 9.40% increase in container traffic, with its two container terminals handling 7,16,105 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) compared to 6,54,590 TEUs during the same period last year. This growth can be attributed to several strategic infrastructure enhancements implemented by the port authority.
Key infrastructure developments that contributed to this performance include:
- Addition of new harbour mobile cranes
- Operationalisation of North Cargo Berth-III
- Induction of the fourth high-power tug
- Expansion of cargo storage facilities
These improvements have significantly enhanced cargo-handling efficiency and reduced ship turnaround time, contributing to the port's overall growth trajectory.
Leadership Vision for Future Growth
Susanta Kumar Purohit, Chairperson of the VOC Port Authority, emphasized the port's commitment to continuous improvement. He stated that the port will continue to prioritize several key areas to strengthen its position as a crucial driver of maritime trade and regional economic development.
The port's strategic focus areas include:
- Infrastructure development and modernization
- Enhancing ease of doing business for stakeholders
- Implementing comprehensive digitization initiatives
- Promoting green and sustainable port operations
The impressive performance metrics and strategic initiatives position VOC Port as a vital component of India's maritime infrastructure, contributing significantly to trade facilitation and economic growth in the southern region of the country.
