<p data-path-to-node="5"><b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="21">V.O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port Authority</b> in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, has recorded a robust <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="111">17.42% year-on-year growth in the handling of Vinyl Chlorides (Vinyl Chloride Monomer / VCM) cargo</b>, demonstrating expanding operational bandwidth across specialized liquid bulk and hazardous chemical handling.</p><p data-path-to-node="6">The double-digit surge in vinyl chloride throughput reflects buoyant demand from downstream polymer and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) manufacturing units across Southern India, supported by VOC Port’s specialized liquid cargo infrastructure, dedicated pipeline linkages, and high-safety discharge protocols.</p><h3 data-path-to-node="8">Key Operational Highlights &amp; Growth Drivers</h3><ul data-path-to-node="9"><li><p data-path-to-node="9,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="9,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Double-Digit Growth in Specialized Cargo:</b> Handling volumes for Vinyl Chlorides grew by 17.42%, reinforcing VOC Port’s position as a preferred southern gateway for specialized petrochemical feedstocks and liquid chemicals.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="9,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="9,1,0" data-index-in-node="0">Fueling the Regional Petrochemical Ecosystem:</b> The consistent influx of vinyl chloride cargo directly supplies major chemical and plastic processing clusters in Tamil Nadu and neighboring states, supporting domestic production of PVC pipes, construction profiles, medical devices, and industrial synthetics.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="9,2,0"><b data-path-to-node="9,2,0" data-index-in-node="0">Dedicated Liquid Cargo Handling Infrastructure:</b> Rapid vessel turnarounds have been enabled through dedicated oil jetty and liquid bulk berths equipped with automated vapor-return systems, closed-loop pipeline transfer channels, and high-efficiency discharge pumps.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="9,3,0"><b data-path-to-node="9,3,0" data-index-in-node="0">Stringent Safety &amp; Hazardous Material Compliance:</b> The port maintains compliance with international Class-A chemical handling protocols and OISD (Oil Industry Safety Directorate) norms, ensuring safe, zero-leakage discharge operations for volatile petrochemical compounds.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="9,4,0"><b data-path-to-node="9,4,0" data-index-in-node="0">Diversified Cargo Strategy:</b> Strong growth in liquid chemicals complements the port’s simultaneous expansion across containerized freight, dry bulk, and project cargoes under the Maritime India Vision 2030 modernization roadmap.</p></li></ul>