Expect to handle 50 million tonnes of cargo, targeting a 20% overall growth: Susanta Kumar Purohit, Chairperson, V.O.C Port Authority

VOC Port is working on implementing AI and IoT technologies to create a smart, green, and secured port

Strategically located close to the East West International Sea Route, the V.O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port is considered as the gateway port of Southern Tamil Nadu. It is an all-weather port with 24x 7 operations and is well connected by road and rail. The port is congestion free and provides seamless cargo evacuation through National Highways 38 connecting Madurai and 138 connecting Tirunelveli. Susanta Kumar Purohit, Chairperson, V.O.C Port Authority shares the development plan of the port...

How was the cargo and financial performance of the VOC Port in FY24-25? 

In FY 2024-25, despite capacity constraints, VOC Port delivered a robust performance, handling 41.72 million tonnes of cargo, a significant increase from the 41.40 million tonnes in the previous fiscal year. The Container handling reached a record 7, 95,222 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) registering an impressive growth of 6.41 per cent. 

For FY 2025-26, we expect to handle 50 million tonnes of cargo, targeting a 20 per cent overall growth in throughput and Container volumes are projected to exceed 8, 50,000 TEUs. VOC Port has achieved the highest ever Total Revenue of Rs 1209.19 crore in the FY 2024-25 as compared to Rs 1121.92 crore of previous FY 2023-24, registering a growth of 7.78 per cent. The net surplus after tax for FY 2024-25 is Rs 534.90 crore as against Rs 460.08 crore in FY 2023-24, registering a record growth of 16.26 per cent and the Operating Ratio of 29.05 per cent, is one of the least among the Indian major ports. 

What sort of infrastructure was added last year and what are the planned capacity augmentation initiatives of the VOC Port? 

VOC Port has adapted to rising cargo volumes and global trade demands through various initiatives. We have enhanced our container handling infrastructure, by commissioning Tuticorin International Container Terminal operated by JM Baxi, with a capacity of 6 lakh TEUS. Along with the existing DBGT Container terminal, the port has a container handling capacity of 1.2 million TEUs. 

To cater the bulk cargo needs, the NCB-II has been operationalized with Harbour Mobile Cranes. The North Cargo Berth-III has been dredged to 14.2 mt draft and shall be operational in a few days with Harbour Mobile Cranes, accommodating 95,000 DWT vessels. Further, the fully mechanized North Cargo Berth-III shall be operated by JSW by the end of March 2027. An innovative solution to use the spare capacity available at the berth, a link conveyor with 2000 TPH capacity, linking Coal Jetty I conveyor with Port Coal Yard for handling coal has been developed. 

The turning circle of the Port and the entrance channel is also being upgraded. The mouth of the entrance channel will be widened from 153 mt to 230 mt. Further, the diameter of the turning circle will be widened from 480m to 550m facilitating the Port to berth 14.20 mt draft container vessels with ease. Plans are also in place to construct a 440 mt multi-cargo Berth No.10 and a 470 mt exclusive windmill blade terminal to boost offshore wind exports through VOC Port. On completion of the planned inner harbour capacity augmentation projects, the port will be able to attract regular mainline vessels. 

Moreover, the Outer Harbour project of VOC Port with two container terminals, draft of 16 metres and capacity to handle 4 million TEUs of containers shall transform VOC Port as the Transshipment Hub of the East coast of India.  

How do you see port-led industrialization around VOC Port? 

VOC Port has earmarked 765 acres of land under the Coastal Employment Unit for setting up various port- based industries under the Sagarmala initiative of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. Many industries like green hydrogen manufacturing, chemicals, food processing, edible oil manufacturing and warehousing are already operating their facilities at the port. 

What sort of green hydrogen and renewable energy projects are coming at VOC Port? 

An investment of Rs 41,860 crore has been committed by leading global firms such as ACME Green Hydrogen & Chemicals, Green Infra Renewable Energy Farms (Sembcorp), Amplus Ganges Solar, and ReNew E-Fuels. The commencement of green hydrogen is expected by the year 2028. To infuse confidence in the investors, the pilot project for installation of green hydrogen production plant of 10 nm3 capacity, along with 10KW power generation using fuel cell for EV charging and powering street lights in port colony is nearing completion. In addition, the port is set to undertake a pilot project for green hydrogen and green methanol bunkering which will demonstrate bunkering and refueling facilities at VOC Port.  

How is VOC Port positioning itself as a smart port? 

India’s first indigenously developed Vessel Traffic System to optimize vessel movements, minimizing congestion and berthing delays has been commissioned at the port. The RFID based port gate management has facilitated real time gate monitoring and seamless movement of trucks. The newly commissioned Direct Port Entry (DPE) facility enables factories and exporters to deliver containers directly to the port terminal instead of routing through Container Freight Stations (CFS). Port’s drive through container scanner can scan 100 vehicles per hour, capable of detecting suspicious material at ease, thereby improving the evacuation efficiency. 

VOC Port is working on implementing AI and IoT technologies to create a smart, green, and secured port. The port is set to commission an IoT-based street lighting system and water sprinkler system in the coal yard. The port is also exploring various avenues of automation, AI and IoT, Digital twin, 5G technology with IIT Chennai.