VOC Port achieves impressive growth in cargo, container and vessel performance in October 2025

V. O. Chidambaranar Port (VOC Port), Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, continues to showcase steady growth in both cargo and container traffic. During October 2025, the port handled 3.94 million tonnes of cargo, including 75,110 TEUs of containers, registering a 10.94% and 20.83% increase, respectively, compared to the 3.55 million tonnes and 62,158 TEUs handled in October 2024.

Overall, up to October in the current financial year 2025-26, the port has handled 25.23 million tonnes of cargo, including 5,03,204 TEUs of containers, representing a 2.71 % growth in overall cargo traffic and an 8.44 % increase in container traffic, compared to the 24.56 million tonnes of cargo and 4,64,060 TEUs of containers handled in the same period of the previous financial year. 

The port’s strong performance is further highlighted by the rise in ship calls, with 1,064 vessels handled up to October 2025 as against 1,004 vessels during the corresponding period of the previous year.  

In addition to the growth in cargo and container handling, the port has also significantly enhanced its operational performance. The Container Vessels Average Turnaround Time (TRT) improved from 20.16 hours to 19.20 hours, among the best across the Major Ports of India.

Further enhancing its operational excellence, the Direct Port Entry (DPE) facility, commissioned in April 2025, has emerged as a key enabler of export growth. The facility recorded impressive performance by handling 17,506 TEUs of export containers of the total export-laden volume of 2,05,484 TEUs up to October 2025, accounting for an 8.52 % share of total export containers.

The port also achieved significant growth across major commodities handled up to October 2025, when compared to the corresponding period of the previous financial year 2024-25. Petroleum Products recorded a growth of 11.16%, Edible Oil 8.57%, Fertiliser 34.18%, Fertiliser Raw Materials 8.32%, Rock Phosphate 9.85%, Salt an impressive 53%, and Construction Materials a remarkable 177.22%, reflecting the port’s expanding trade volumes and diversified cargo profile, highlighted a release.

Commenting on the achievement, Mr Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, Chairperson, said that the sustained growth across all sectors reflects the port’s strong performance, enhanced efficiency and customer-centric approach. He emphasised that the port will continue to focus on infrastructure augmentation, digital transformation and green initiatives to further strengthen its position as a key driver of maritime trade and economic development in the region.

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