<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:
"Times New Roman",serif">The <b>V.O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port Authority</b> has
officially invited global bids for the development of a state-of-the-art
container terminal at <b>Berth No. 7</b>. This ambitious ₹517.02-crore project
will be executed on a <b>Public-Private Partnership (PPP)</b> basis, marking a
significant step in the port's transition toward becoming a major transshipment
hub in Southern India.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Project Scope & Development Details<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0cm" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Infrastructure
Investment</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">: The project involves an estimated
cost of <b>₹517.02 crore</b>, focusing on the conversion and mechanization
of existing berth infrastructure into a high-capacity container handling
facility.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Operational
Model</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:
"Times New Roman",serif">: The terminal will be developed under a <b>Design,
Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT)</b> model for a concession
period of 30 years.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Capacity
Boost</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:
"Times New Roman",serif">: Upon completion, the terminal is expected to
significantly increase the port’s container handling throughput, catering
to the rising demand from the textile, agriculture, and manufacturing
sectors in the hinterland.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Modernization
Focus</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:
"Times New Roman",serif">: The tender mandates the installation of modern
shore-to-ship cranes, rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs), and advanced
terminal operating systems to ensure competitive turnaround times.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Strategic Significance<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0cm" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Regional
Growth</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">: The expansion at Berth No. 7 is a
critical component of the <b>PM Gati Shakti</b> National Master Plan,
aimed at improving multi-modal connectivity and logistics efficiency.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Competitive
Edge</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:
"Times New Roman",serif">: By upgrading its container handling
capabilities, VOC Port aims to compete more effectively with international
transshipment hubs and other major ports on the East Coast.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Economic
Impact</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">: The project is anticipated to
generate substantial direct and indirect employment while boosting the
EXIM trade ecosystem in Tamil Nadu and neighboring states.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>