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
- Bigger savings, bigger loops: The sliding‑scale discount rewards frequency, nudging coastal carriers to schedule more rotations and deepen east‑west coastal connectivity.
- Cargo concentration : By insisting on a 50 % discharge threshold, VOC Port ensures most of the value‑added activity—and accompanying jobs—stays local.
- Countdown clock : The window is tight—April 14 to October 13 2025—so operators eyeing new loops will need to lock in tonnage fast.
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.
