V.O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port, Tuticorin, handled 35.97 million tonnes (mt) of cargo during April 2025 to January 2026, registering a 6 per cent growth compared with 33.94 mt handled during the corresponding period of the previous fiscal.
The port also achieved its highest-ever monthly cargo throughput in January 2026, handling 4 mt of cargo and surpassing its previous record of 3.95 mt recorded in March 2024.
During the first ten months of FY26, the port reported strong growth across several key commodities. Industrial coal traffic increased by 12.78 per cent, construction materials surged by 92.10 per cent, rock phosphate rose by 12.65 per cent, fertilisers grew by 40.12 per cent, fertiliser raw materials expanded by 11.51 per cent, and edible oil cargo rose by 17.52 per cent, according to an official statement.
Container traffic also registered steady growth, rising by 9.40 per cent. The port’s two container terminals handled 7,16,105 TEUs during the period, compared with 6,54,590 TEUs handled in the same period last year.
Susanta Kumar Purohit, Chairperson of VOC Port Authority, said the port will continue to focus on infrastructure development, ease of doing business, digitisation and green initiatives to strengthen its role as a key driver of maritime trade and regional economic growth.
The port’s performance during FY26 was supported by several strategic infrastructure upgrades, including the deployment of additional harbour mobile cranes, commissioning of North Cargo Berth-III, induction of a fourth high-power tug, and expansion of cargo storage facilities. These measures have contributed to improved cargo-handling efficiency and reduced vessel turnaround time.