<p data-path-to-node="5" id="p-rc_c9a4a9f801650901-131" style="font-family: "Google Sans Text", sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;">Expanding its reach into Karnataka’s manufacturing and export hubs, the <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="91" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">V.O. <span class="citation-261" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA)</span></b><span class="citation-261 citation-end-261" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"> organized a Trade Meet in Bengaluru. The strategic conference convened key maritime and logistics stakeholders including ocean carriers, container terminal operators, CONCOR, Customs, importers, exporters, and regional trade bodies to strengthen multimodal supply chain ties through Tuticorin.<source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c2333486709="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2333486709="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="2" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c1165537504="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"> <source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c1165537504="" _nghost-ng-c642716104="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></source-inline-chip><!----><!----><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="6" id="p-rc_c9a4a9f801650901-132" style="font-family: "Google Sans Text", sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><span class="citation-260 citation-end-260" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Led by VOCPA Chairperson Susanta Kumar Purohit and Deputy Chairperson Rajesh Soundararajan, the initiative focused on unlocking logistics opportunities for the Bengaluru business community while establishing efficient corridors between regional inland container depots (ICDs) and VOC Port.<source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c2333486709="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2333486709="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="3" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c1165537504="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"> <source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c1165537504="" _nghost-ng-c642716104="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></source-inline-chip><!----><!----><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><h3 data-path-to-node="8" style="font-family: "Google Sans", sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="8" data-index-in-node="0" style="font-family: "Google Sans Text", sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;">Dedicated Rail Shuttles and Advanced Terminals Target Karnataka EXIM Cargo</b></h3><p data-path-to-node="9" style="font-family: "Google Sans Text", sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;">The trade conference and subsequent administrative discussions introduced targeted initiatives to optimize door-to-port logistics for regional cargo owners:</p><ul data-path-to-node="10" style="padding-inline-start: 32px; font-family: "Google Sans Text", sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><li style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><p data-path-to-node="10,0,0" id="p-rc_c9a4a9f801650901-133" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="10,0,0" data-index-in-node="0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Dedicated Bengaluru-Tuticorin Container Rail Shuttle:</b> <span class="citation-259" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Following the trade gathering, VOCPA held a specialized roundtable with senior leadership from </span><b data-path-to-node="10,0,0" data-index-in-node="149" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">South Western Railway (SWR)</b><span class="citation-259" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"> and </span><b data-path-to-node="10,0,0" data-index-in-node="181" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">CONCOR</b><span class="citation-259 citation-end-259" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">.<source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c2333486709="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2333486709="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="4" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span> Deliberations centered on launching a dedicated container train service linking Bengaluru directly to VOC Port to ensure predictable transit timelines and reduce highway reliance.<sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c1165537504="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"> <source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c1165537504="" _nghost-ng-c642716104="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></source-inline-chip><!----><!----><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><p data-path-to-node="10,1,0" id="p-rc_c9a4a9f801650901-134" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="10,1,0" data-index-in-node="0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Showcasing Deep-Water Capabilities:</b> <span class="citation-258 citation-end-258" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Terminal operators including Dakshin Bharat Gateway Terminal (DBGT) and Tuticorin International Container Terminal (TICT) highlighted enhanced quay crane productivity, expanded berth capacities, and streamlined digital clearing tools designed for Karnataka-based shippers.<source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c2333486709="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2333486709="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="5" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c1165537504="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"> <source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c1165537504="" _nghost-ng-c642716104="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></source-inline-chip><!----><!----><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><p data-path-to-node="10,2,0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="10,2,0" data-index-in-node="0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Competitive Route for Regional Exports:</b> VOCPA emphasized Tuticorin’s strategic advantages for Karnataka’s key export industries, including electronics, textiles, machinery, and agricultural goods. Routing cargo via direct rail connections to Tuticorin provides exporters with a reliable alternative to congested highway corridors and direct access to major international trade lanes.</p></li><li style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><p data-path-to-node="10,3,0" id="p-rc_c9a4a9f801650901-135" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="10,3,0" data-index-in-node="0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Collaborative Industry Growth:</b> <span class="citation-257 citation-end-257" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Key participants including the Tuticorin Stevedores Association (TSAA), KPMG, and CHA Bengaluru welcomed the outreach.<source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c2333486709="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2333486709="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="6" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span> Stakeholders noted that synchronized rail departures, simplified customs documentation, and competitive terminal tariffs will encourage shippers to diversify their logistics routes across South Indian ports.<sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c1165537504="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"></sources-carousel-inline></p></li></ul>
VOC Port Strengthens Bengaluru Trade Links
Expanding its reach into Karnataka’s manufacturing and export hubs, the V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA) organized a Trade Meet in Bengaluru. The strategic conference convened key maritime and logistics stakeholders including ocean carriers, container terminal operators, CONCOR, Customs, importers, exporters, and regional trade bodies to strengthen multimodal supply chain ties through Tuticorin.
