Revival of VOC Port to Enhance Capacity for Mega Container Ships

The revival of the RS 7.056 Crore External Development Project in the VOC port in Thoothukudi comes two decades after its initial introduction, with major players such as Adani Ports, DP World, and Vedanta Group participating in the tender process. The need for this project stems from the fact that container ships have grown in size in recent years, with some now exceeding 400m in length and a load-bearing capacity of around 22,000 TEU, far surpassing the capabilities of the current VOC port.

To meet the growing demands of larger container ships and remain competitive with international ports, the VOC port is looking to develop an outer port as part of the Sagarmala scheme. The planned outer port is essential to accommodate modern mega-ships and increase the port’s overall efficiency and capacity. It is projected that the container traffic at the VOC port will increase significantly in the coming years, making the outer port development crucial for the port’s future success.

Delays in the implementation of the outer port project and the optimization of the inner port have hindered the VOC port’s progress in recent years. However, stakeholders emphasize the importance of infrastructure upgrades to attract larger Mainline ships and reduce dependency on ports like Colombo. The completion of the outer port project is seen as a key factor in unlocking the full potential of the VOC port and enhancing its competitiveness in the region.

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