VOC Port Gears Up for Mainline Container Ship Calls with Major Dredging Upgrade

In a strategic move set to reshape its container shipping operations, V.O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port has completed the dredging and widening of its turning circle — a vital upgrade paving the way for mainline container ships of up to 14,000 TEUs to call directly.
The upgrade, executed by Belgium-based contractor Jan De Nul, involved expanding the turning circle from 488 metres to 550 metres, as part of a larger project to dredge the North Cargo Berth-III — managed by a JSW Infrastructure unit — to support fully loaded Panamax vessels.

Why This Matters:

By the Numbers:

Process Enhancements:

Past Challenges Overcome:

Previously, despite a 14.2-metre draft capability, ships had to lighten their loads before using a narrower turning circle, which impacted efficiency. The new 550-metre circle now eliminates this bottleneck, enabling fully loaded departures without extra manoeuvring.

Vizhinjam Port Tops Container Traffic in South and East India

In a major milestone for India’s maritime infrastructure, Vizhinjam Port has emerged as the top container-handling port in South and East India, according to a recent press release.
While Mumbai and Mundra continue to dominate the western coast, Vizhinjam is quickly gaining ground—thanks to its strategic location and cutting-edge operational efficiency.
“Automatic container handling played a key role in our success. Even in phase one—before the port is fully completed—we’ve surpassed expectations,” said a port official.

Key Highlights:

AM/NS India Wins 30-Year Deal to Operate 10 MT Captive Berth at Paradip Port

ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India Ltd (AM/NS India) has secured a major logistics win by bagging a 30-year concession to operate the CQ-III berth at Paradip Port. This strategic move strengthens the company’s supply chain integration, particularly for its expanded pellet operations.

Key Highlights:

Kolkata Port to Turn Vintage River Vessels into Floating Cultural Hubs

Kolkata, May 15, 2025 — In a move blending history with innovation, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP), Kolkata, has opened bids to transform three vintage river vessels into vibrant floating venues for tourism, art, and leisure.
Inspired by the successful revival of the historic paddle steamer PS Bhopal—now the popular heritage cruise Bengal Paddle—this initiative promises to redefine the Hooghly riverfront.

Key Highlights:

“These vessels offer significant potential to become revenue-generating heritage assets,” said an SMP official.

India’s Maritime Sector Hits New High as Major Ports Break Records in FY 2024-25

India’s maritime sector has recorded a landmark year, with Major Ports handling a historic high of 855 million tonnes of cargo in FY 2024-25 — up from 819 million tonnes in the previous year. This 4.3% annual growth marks a new era of capacity, efficiency, and strategic relevance for the country’s ports.
According to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, this surge reaffirms the scalability of Indian ports in managing rising global and domestic trade volumes.

Cargo Growth Drivers:

The year’s growth was propelled by significant increases across key cargo categories:

Cargo Composition Breakdown

Key Port Performances

Infrastructure & Investment Momentum

Efficiency on the Rise

Strong Financial Performance

Government’s Vision

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal hailed these achievements as a testament to “transformational leadership” and the collaborative spirit of the Ministry, port authorities, and industry stakeholders. He emphasized that India is building sustainable, globally competitive ports to power its trade ambitions.

📈 A Decade of Transformation

India’s port sector is no longer just evolving — it’s leading. Stay tuned for more updates as we track the journey toward a truly world-class maritime ecosystem.

Hindalco and Vizag Terminal to Build India’s First Fully-Automated Alumina Facility at Visakhapatnam Port

In a landmark move for India’s logistics and metals sectors, Vizag Multipurpose Terminal—a joint venture between India Potash Ltd and J M Baxi Ports & Logistics—has partnered with Hindalco Industries Ltd., the metals flagship of the Aditya Birla Group, to develop the nation’s first fully automated and sustainable alumina handling terminal.

Key Highlights:

With cabotage steadily gaining traction in India’s multimodal mix, VOC Port’s latest move signals an aggressive push to claim a larger slice of coastal container flows before peak season kicks in.

Strategic Implications:

This project is more than just a terminal—it’s a bold step toward next-generation port infrastructure aligned with India’s green logistics goals and growing trade ambitions. It marks a strong commitment to:

About Vizag Multipurpose Terminal:

Vizag Multipurpose Terminal Private Limited (VMTPL) is a joint venture between Indian Potash Limited and J M Baxi Ports and Logistics Private Limited. It operates under a Concession Agreement with the Visakhapatnam Port Authority for the mechanization of the EQ-07 berth.

VOC Port Rolls Out Fresh Concessions to Power India’s Coastal Container Trade

V. O. O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port has sweetened the deal for coastal operators running direct container services from Gujarat or West Bengal to Tuticorin.
Under a brand‑new incentives scheme, container vessels that off‑load at least half of their total boxes at VOC Port will enjoy deep cuts in Vessel Related Charges (VRC) for the next six months:

Annualised Voyages

VRC Rebate

Up to 24 calls

40% off

25 – 39 calls

45% off

40 – 50+ calls

50% off

The rebates apply pro‑rata if a service runs for less than a full year, the port clarified.

Why it matters

With cabotage steadily gaining traction in India’s multimodal mix, VOC Port’s latest move signals an aggressive push to claim a larger slice of coastal container flows before peak season kicks in.

VOC Port Authority Rolls Out 24/7 Direct Port Entry—Turbo‑Charging Tamil Nadu’s Exports

Imagine skipping the long detour through a Container Freight Station and rolling straight up to the ship. That’s exactly what exporters can do now that V O Chidambaranar (VOC) Port Authority has switched on its brand‑new Direct Port Entry (DPE) lane for factory‑stuffed, e‑sealed containers.

Why this matters ?

Old Way

New DPE Way

Truck waits at a CFS for customs checks

Truck drives straight to the terminal, 24/7

Extra handling fees & paperwork

One touchpoint, lower cost

Longer dwell time on the docks

Faster gate‑in → quicker ship loading

By pairing DPE with its existing Direct Port Delivery (DPD) programme, VOC Port is gunning for minimal dwell time—the holy grail of port efficiency.

The fine print

Big picture

Tamil Nadu’s exporters—from automotive parts to agri‑produce—stand to shave hours (sometimes days) off their supply‑chain clocks. And with nearly 8 lakh TEUs already moving through VOC last year, the port’s “direct‑to‑deck” shortcut could be a logistics game‑changer for South India.
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