On October 18, 2026, V.O. Chidambaranar Port's Dakshin Bharat Gateway Terminal (DBGT) received the mainline shipping vessel M.V. NawataBhum. The arrival marks a significant step in strengthening the port's maritime connectivity with South China and Vietnam, creating new trade opportunities for exporters and importers in the region.
The Singapore-flagged vessel has a container capacity of approximately 1,100 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), a length overall (LOA) of 147.82 metres and a beam of 23.38 metres. It will handle containerised cargo, with transit times of 13 days from Qinzhou to Tuticorin and 12 days from Haiphong to Tuticorin.
The service is operated by Regional Container Line (RCL), with Chakiat Shipping Services Pvt. Ltd., Tuticorin, acting as the vessel agent.
Initially, the service will operate on a bi-weekly schedule, with plans to increase frequency to weekly based on market demand from exporters and importers. The service also offers shipping lines and Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carriers (NVOCCs) an additional transshipment option for routing outbound export cargo through Kattupalli Port.
Container Traffic Records Continued Growth
V.O. Chidambaranar Port handled 4.42 lakh TEUs of container traffic up to September 2026 in the financial year 2026–27. This represented growth of 3.18% compared with the 4.28 lakh TEUs handled during the corresponding period of the previous financial year.
DBGT Infrastructure Supports Regional Trade
Dakshin Bharat Gateway Terminal (DBGT), with a 335.5-metre berth, a draft of 14.2 metres and an annual container-handling capacity of 6 lakh TEUs, provides container-handling facilities at V.O. Chidambaranar Port.
The addition of the new mainline shipping service is expected to enhance connectivity with South China and Vietnam, expand market access and create additional opportunities for export-import (EXIM) trade. Industries in the port's hinterland, particularly solar panel and electric vehicle manufacturing, are among the sectors that could benefit from the improved maritime links.
Port Authority Highlights Future Expansion
Shri Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, Chairperson of V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, said:
“The arrival of the mainline container vessel M.V. NawataBhum marks a significant step in strengthening the Port’s regional maritime connectivity with South China and Vietnam. Such services expand market access and facilitate EXIM trade. With the upcoming third container terminal at Berth No. 7 and the Outer Harbour project, the Port is poised to enhance its container-handling capacity, attract more shipping services and further strengthen its position as a major container hub on India’s east coast.”
The above details were furnished in a press release issued by the V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority.
Public Relations Officer
V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority