V.O. Chidambaranar Port has achieved a significant milestone in India’s maritime trade by handling 30 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo in the current financial year, reaching the target one week earlier than last year.
The achievement underscores the port’s growing operational efficiency and its strategic importance as a key gateway on India’s east coast. Port officials noted that cargo throughput maintained steady momentum throughout the year, with 10 MMT handled by June 26 and 20 MMT by September 21, before crossing the 30 MMT mark on December 14.
The accelerated pace reflects rising demand across multiple cargo segments, supported by continuous improvements in infrastructure, cargo-handling capabilities, and process optimisation. Several commodities recorded robust year-on-year growth during April–November 2025. Timber log traffic surged by 176 per cent, pulses volumes more than doubled, and construction material handling rose by nearly 142 per cent.
Operational efficiency was further demonstrated at the NCB-II berth, where 38,319 tonnes of coal were discharged from the vessel MV Danae I within 24 hours. The operation was enabled by the deployment of dual harbour cranes and enhanced backup storage facilities.
The port authority attributed the milestone to the coordinated efforts of all stakeholders, including terminal operators, stevedores such as Vijay Trading Company, vessel agents including Ocean Masters Shipping Pvt. Ltd., and the port’s workforce, whose collective contribution continues to strengthen the port’s performance and competitiveness.
With this achievement, V.O. Chidambaranar Port reinforces its position as a high-performing major port, supporting regional trade growth and India’s broader maritime and logistics ambitions.