The V.O. Chidambaranar Port crossed the 15-million tonne mark in cargo handling in this financial year on August 3. This milestone has been achieved 11 days ahead as compared to the previous financial year.

An official statement said the port had handled 2,98,107 TEUs of containers up to August 3 this financial year, registering a growth of 9.75% compared to the 2,71,620 TEUs handled during the corresponding period of the previous financial year.

The major commodities that contributed to this achievement include coal, limestone, salt, rock phosphate, edible oil, and construction material. The rapid growth in exports from Tiruppur, Coimbatore, and Karur has increased the container volumes.

The operationalisation of North Cargo Berth-III for handling bulk cargo, which was recently dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 26, is another major contributor to the port’s improved performance.

The port’s primary hinterland has been witnessing rapid industrialisation with the proposed man-made fiber factory by a Singapore-based firm, footwear manufacturing facility to be set up by a South Korean firm in Tirunelveli disrtict coupled with new investments in defence and space technology. Start-ups too augur well for VOC Port’s cargo handling.

“Hence, the cargo handling of VOC Port in near future will scale greater heights,” said Port Chairman Susanta Kumar Purohit, who congratulated all stakeholders and trade partners for their continued support and contribution towards this significant achievement, the statement said.

Source: The Hindu Bureau