VOC Port Sets New Single-Day Cargo Handling Record at 2.17 Lakh Tonnes

V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority has achieved its highest-ever single-day cargo handling of 2,17,332 tonnes on September 5, 2026, surpassing its previous record of 2,16,631 tonnes achieved on February 18, 2026. The record cargo throughput included 62,466 tonnes of coal, 49,067 tonnes of thermal coal, 20,671 tonnes of limestone, 10,188 tonnes of sulphuric acid, 5,400 tonnes of palm oil, 1,771 tonnes of sugar, 774 tonnes of general cargo and 68 tonnes of windmill blades. The Port also handled 66,927 tonnes of containerised cargo, equivalent to 3,348 TEUs. VOC Port has also maintained strong cargo growth during the current financial year. In August 2026, the Port handled 35.35 lakh tonnes, compared with 32.33 lakh tonnes in August 2025, registering a 9.36% growth. During April-August 2026, cumulative cargo handling stood at 18.27 million tonnes, compared with 17.89 million tonnes during the corresponding period last year, marking a 2.10% growth. The Port's performance has been supported by enhanced cargo-handling infrastructure, including two Harbour Mobile Cranes with a capacity of 124 tonnes each at North Cargo Berth-III and seven Harbour Mobile Cranes deployed across Berths 1 to 7. VOC Port is undertaking several major infrastructure projects to further increase its cargo-handling capacity. These include the conversion of Berth No. 7 into a modern container terminal, development of Multi Cargo Berth No. 10, mechanisation of North Cargo Berth-III for dry bulk cargo handling, and development of an additional 40-acre Custom Bond Area. These initiatives are expected to improve cargo evacuation, storage and handling efficiency while supporting future cargo growth and port-led industrial development. Shri Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, Chairperson, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, congratulated the officers, staff and stakeholders for achieving the milestone and said that the upcoming infrastructure facilities would enable VOC Port to further scale up cargo throughput and strengthen its position as a major maritime gateway on India's East Coast.