<p data-path-to-node="2"><b data-path-to-node="2" data-index-in-node="0">THOOTHUKUDI — Quayside Mechanization, Direct Port Entry Velocity, and High-Frequency Feeder Networks Propel V.O. Chidambaranar Port Container Operations to Historic Throughput High</b></p><p data-path-to-node="3" id="p-rc_ff4be4fd6b667403-195"><span data-path-to-node="3,0">Setting an operational milestone along India's southeastern maritime rim, container operations across the V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOC Port) in Thoothukudi have registered their highest-ever monthly handling performance, clocking a record-breaking throughput of 33,771 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs)</span><span data-path-to-node="3,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="3,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4093912687=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="4" id="p-rc_ff4be4fd6b667403-196"><span data-path-to-node="4,0">The volume peak reflects a sharp acceleration in export-import (EXIM) container traffic originating across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and southern Karnataka, solidifying Tuticorin’s strategic role as a primary maritime gateway and coastal feeder node in the northern Indian Ocean</span><span data-path-to-node="4,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="4,2">. Terminal operations across Berth No. 8—anchored by Dakshin Bharat Gateway Terminal (DBGT)—alongside complementary quayside facilities maintained sustained operational velocity throughout the multi-week sprint, servicing a continuous rotation of regional feeder vessels and direct-call container liners without triggering outer-anchorage delays or landside gate congestion</span><span data-path-to-node="4,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="4,4">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4093912687=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="5" id="p-rc_ff4be4fd6b667403-197"><span data-path-to-node="5,0">According to operational performance logs released by port administration, the monthly record was propelled by surging cargo liftings across Southern India's core manufacturing catchments</span><span data-path-to-node="5,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="5,2">:</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4093912687=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><ul data-path-to-node="6"><li><p data-path-to-node="6,0,0" id="p-rc_ff4be4fd6b667403-198"><span data-path-to-node="6,0,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="6,0,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Textiles and Garments:</b> Finished apparel, knitwear, and home textiles originating from industrial clusters in Tirupur, Coimbatore, and Karur accounted for a dominant share of outbound box loads, driven by strong seasonal retail replenishment schedules in European and North American consumer markets</span><span data-path-to-node="6,0,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="6,0,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4093912687=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="6,1,0" id="p-rc_ff4be4fd6b667403-199"><span data-path-to-node="6,1,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="6,1,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Engineering and Automotive Components:</b> Precision machinery, automotive assemblies, and electrical equipment manufactured in Coimbatore and Chennai-Bengaluru industrial corridors moved steadily through port gates, capitalizing on expedited loading windows</span><span data-path-to-node="6,1,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="6,1,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4093912687=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="6,2,0" id="p-rc_ff4be4fd6b667403-200"><span data-path-to-node="6,2,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="6,2,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Perishable Agro and Marine Exports:</b> Frozen marine seafood, spices, and processed agricultural commodities from southern coastal districts utilized expanded refrigerated container plug-in infrastructure across the terminal yards, maintaining unbroken cold chains prior to vessel stowage</span><span data-path-to-node="6,2,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="6,2,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4093912687=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="6,3,0" id="p-rc_ff4be4fd6b667403-201"><span data-path-to-node="6,3,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="6,3,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Inbound Raw Materials:</b> Steady inflows of industrial chemicals, capital equipment spares, and raw polymer feedstocks supported round-the-clock clearance cycles for regional manufacturers</span><span data-path-to-node="6,3,0,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="6,3,0,2">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4093912687=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li></ul><p data-path-to-node="7" id="p-rc_ff4be4fd6b667403-202"><span data-path-to-node="7,0">The volume milestone was enabled by synchronized quayside mechanization and terminal digital integration</span><span data-path-to-node="7,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="7,2">. VOC Port’s high-capacity rail-mounted quay cranes, deployed alongside heavy-duty mobile harbor cranes and electrified rubber-tyred gantry (e-RTG) yards, sustained gross crane moves above established productivity benchmarks</span><span data-path-to-node="7,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="7,4">. High crane efficiency enabled rapid vessel turnarounds, particularly for dedicated feeder services connecting Tuticorin directly with regional transshipment hubs like Colombo</span><span data-path-to-node="7,5"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="7,6">. Direct feeder shuttles operating with tight 18-hour crossings across the Gulf of Mannar have compressed transshipment dwell times down to under 24 to 36 hours, ensuring that time-critical export containers catch scheduled mainline mother-ship connections without costly rollovers</span><span data-path-to-node="7,7"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="7,8">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4093912687=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="8" id="p-rc_ff4be4fd6b667403-203"><span data-path-to-node="8,0">On the landside interface, the implementation of paperless Direct Port Entry (DPE) protocols, automated optical character recognition (OCR) gate complexes, and real-time integration with the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) and the National Logistics Portal–Marine (<i data-path-to-node="8,0" data-index-in-node="277">Sagar Setu</i>) compressed average container truck turnaround times (TAT) inside the harbor perimeter to under 35 minutes</span><span data-path-to-node="8,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="8,2">. Drayage hauliers cycling between the docks and inland container depots (ICDs) across Madurai, Tuticorin, and Tirunelveli were able to maintain uninterrupted trips, preventing highway queues on access corridors</span><span data-path-to-node="8,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="8,4">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4093912687=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="9" id="p-rc_ff4be4fd6b667403-204"><span data-path-to-node="9,0">Reviewing the milestone, port leadership commended terminal concessionaires, dock labor unions, customs house clearing agents, and shipping liner representatives for driving continuous operational discipline</span><span data-path-to-node="9,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="9,2">. Port authorities emphasized that surpassing the 33,000-TEU monthly mark validates the long-term capital overhaul underway at Thoothukudi</span><span data-path-to-node="9,3"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="9,4">.</span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c4093912687=""><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="10" id="p-rc_ff4be4fd6b667403-205"><span data-path-to-node="10,0">With major civil works and capital dredging advancing on the ₹15,000-crore Outer Harbour deepwater container terminal expansion to deepen channel drafts to 18 meters, VOC Port is systematically positioning itself to berth next-generation Ultra-Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) directly, reducing regional dependence on foreign transshipment hubs and expanding its strategic footprint under the national <i data-path-to-node="10,0" data-index-in-node="402">Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047</i> framework</span><span data-path-to-node="10,1"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><source-footnote _nghost-ng-c1719680759="" class="ng-star-inserted"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c1719680759="" class="superscript"><!----></sup></source-footnote><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></span><span data-path-to-node="10,2">.</span></p>