V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA) is advancing a structured programme of process-led reforms aimed at reducing operational friction, improving Ease of Doing Business, and strengthening trade facilitation.

As part of the reform agenda, VOCPA collaborated with its knowledge partner, KPMG, to host a Port Process Efficiency Workshop in Thoothukudi (Tuticorin). This event gathered essential stakeholders to pinpoint process bottlenecks and determine the top priority areas for optimizing operations throughout the port's ecosystem. 

The workshop was inaugurated by Vijay Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), who underscored the importance of efficient port processes, stakeholder integration, and data-driven operations in enabling ports to support global trade, sustainability, and long-term growth in alignment with India’s maritime vision.

During the programme, VOCPA unveiled a Knowledge Paper titled “Unlocking Cargo Growth Potential at V.O. Chidambaranar Port”, outlining key operational themes and process areas with scope for improvement to support future cargo growth and enhanced service delivery.

In brief remarks, Susanta Kumar Purohit, Chairperson, VOCPA, noted that improvements in cargo performance over recent years have been driven by focused operational reforms, improved asset utilisation, and capacity enhancement measures. He emphasised that sustained progress would depend on continuous process refinement and closer integration across stakeholders to meet evolving trade requirements.

Rajesh Soundararajan, Deputy Chairperson, VoCPA highlighted the importance of collaborative engagement with the trade ecosystem in supporting the Port’s operational efficiency agenda and institutional outreach efforts.

In a related interaction, VoCPA showcased its commitment to national maritime goals at India Maritime Week 2025 in New Delhi, highlighting successful stakeholder partnerships and its advancements in green development, digital innovation, and efficient coastal shipping.

Stakeholder engagement was identified as a critical enabler for advancing the Port’s reform agenda and improving operational outcomes. This reinforces that collaboration is key to supporting national maritime development objectives.