The Tuticorin International Container Terminal was inaugurated at VO Chidambaranar (VOC) Port in Thoothukudi on 16 September, 2024, and foundation stone was laid for various works, worth more than Rs 38,000 crore.

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal dedicated to the nation the new container terminal, which is the port’s third such terminal and will be operated by the JM Baxi Group. With a draft of 14.20 mtrs, a length of 370 mtrs. and spans 10 hectares, including berth and backup area, it has the capacity to handle six TEUs of containers.

In a video message, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the terminal as the new star of India’s marine infrastructure, stating that it will play a crucial role in enhancing the capacity of the port, and further, with three major ports and seventeen non-major ports, the state has become a major hub for maritime trade. To further boost port-led development, India is investing over Rs 7,000 crore in the development of an Outer Harbour Container Terminal, which will add to the capacity of the VOC, he informed.

The Shipping Minister laid the foundation stone for Green Hydrogen Demonstration Project, 400 kW rooftop solar power plant, and link conveyor system from Coal Jetty-I to Coal stackyard. VOCPA also exchanged land lease agreement with ACME and Green Infra-Renewable Energy Farms, Renew e-fuels and Amplus Ganges Solar.