V.O. Chidambaranar Port Hits 25 Million Tonne Cargo Milestone
V.O. Chidambaranar Port records 25.18 million tonnes of cargo in FY27, marking a 3.01% increase and setting several operational records.
The V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority has announced a significant operational surge, handling 25.18 million tonnes of cargo in the current financial year (FY 2026-27) up to October. This represents a 3.01 per cent growth compared to the 24.44 million tonnes managed during the same window last year, driven by a combination of increased cargo volumes and streamlined operational efficiencies.
Breaking Records and Handling Giants
The port officially crossed the 25-million-tonne threshold on October 24, 2026. Beyond the total volume, the port has witnessed several historic "firsts" and record-breaking events:
- Single-Day Peak: On September 5, the port achieved its highest-ever single-day cargo handling of 2.17 lakh tonnes, narrowly beating its previous record of 2.16 lakh tonnes.
- The Longest Vessel: The port successfully handled the M.V. CMA CGM THORIUM, a massive vessel measuring 335.23 metres in length, making it the longest ship to ever dock at the facility.
- Container Growth: Container traffic saw a 1.76 per cent rise, reaching 5.02 lakh twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), up from 4.94 lakh TEUs in the previous year.
Growth Across Key Cargo Segments
Specific cargo categories showed remarkable growth, particularly in energy and agriculture sectors. Coal handling saw a jump of 13.47 per cent, rising to 10,459.94 tonnes from 9,217.90 tonnes. Even more striking was the rise in fertiliser handling, which surged to 5.70 lakh tonnes from a previous 2.33 lakh tonnes.
Terminal and Rail Breakthroughs
The success extends to specific terminal operations and logistics movements:
- Tuticorin International Container Terminal: Berth No. 9 recorded its highest monthly throughput, handling 33,771 TEUs across 32 different vessels.
- JSW Tuticorin Multipurpose Terminal: This terminal set a new benchmark by discharging 43,052 tonnes of coal within a 24-hour window, surpassing its old record of 41,853 tonnes.
- Rail Logistics: On September 29, the port achieved its highest single-day rail loading for fertilisers at 8,061 tonnes, serving FACT, KRIBHCO, and IPL. Additionally, Raja Agencies set a single-agent record by dispatching 6,376.9 tonnes of fertiliser via 100 railway wagons to locations including Bellari, Katpadi, Haveri, and Sannath Nagar.
The Vision Ahead
Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, Chairperson of the V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, credited these achievements to the collective hard work of shipping lines, terminal operators, employees, and trade partners.
"The milestone reflected the collective efforts of stakeholders," stated Chairperson Susanta Kumar Purohit.
The Chairperson emphasized that the port will remain committed to enhancing India's maritime trade and economic growth by focusing on the expansion of infrastructure, strengthening maritime and rail connectivity, and improving overall operational efficiency to ensure seamless cargo movement.