<p data-path-to-node="7"><b data-path-to-node="7" data-index-in-node="26">V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA)</b> in Thoothukudi has officially crossed the <b data-path-to-node="7" data-index-in-node="110">20 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) cargo throughput milestone</b> for the ongoing fiscal year, achieving the operational benchmark days ahead of its internal targets and outpacing the handling trajectory of the preceding year.</p><p data-path-to-node="8">The performance highlights the port’s sustained growth across diverse commodity streams, driven by enhanced berth productivity, rapid vessel turnarounds, and aggressive hinterland marketing. Robust import inflows of thermal coal, industrial coal, containerized freight, and raw fertilizers coupled with steady export dispatches of general cargo and granite have solidified VOC Port’s standing as a vital maritime logistics engine on India's southern eastern seaboard.</p><h3 data-path-to-node="10">Key Operational Highlights &amp; Growth Drivers</h3><ul data-path-to-node="11"><li><p data-path-to-node="11,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="11,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Accelerated Cargo Handling Run-Rate:</b> VOCPA crossed the 20 MMT threshold faster than in the previous fiscal period, reflecting an overall double-digit handling uptick and improved operational efficiency across both mechanized and multi-purpose berths.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="11,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="11,1,0" data-index-in-node="0">Anchor Cargo Segments Driving Volume:</b> The surge has been anchored by sustained demand for thermal coal feeding regional power plants in Tamil Nadu, industrial coal imports for cement and textile clusters, raw fertilizers, and a steady cadence in container traffic handled through its dedicated container terminals.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="11,2,0"><b data-path-to-node="11,2,0" data-index-in-node="0">Higher Berth Productivity and Lower Dwell:</b> Streamlined quayside evacuation, round-the-clock pilotage, and high-capacity harbour mobile cranes have significantly lowered pre-berthing waiting times and average turnaround periods for bulk carriers and container feeders.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="11,3,0"><b data-path-to-node="11,3,0" data-index-in-node="0">Intermodal Hinterland Linkages:</b> Improved rail-rake availability and dedicated freight connectivity from the port to key industrial belts in Madurai, Coimbatore, Tirupur, and Tirunelveli have enabled swift cargo discharge and continuous yard evacuation.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="11,4,0"><b data-path-to-node="11,4,0" data-index-in-node="0">Strategic Modernization Initiatives:</b> The port’s forward-looking capacity additions including the conversion of berths into modern mechanized terminals, deepening of harbor basins, and implementation of green port protocols under <b data-path-to-node="11,4,0" data-index-in-node="229">Harit Sagar-</b>continue to attract mainline and feeder shipping services looking for alternative, non-congested coastal call options.</p></li></ul>