VOC Port creates new record in cargo handling

The vessel ‘MV Sfakia Wave’ was docked at ninth berth of the Port. The Cyprus flagged vessel with a length of 229 metres and beam of 36.80 metres arrived from the Port of Mina Saqr, UAE hauling 84,502 tonnes of lime stone destined for Eastern Bulk Trading, Chennai.

The shipping agent for the vessel is Seaport Shipping and its stevedore agent is Seaport Logistics, Thoothukudi. Earlier, on Nov 28, 2018, the Port handled MV Bottiglieri Giogio Avino with a parcel size of 82,170 tonnes at 14 metre draft, a statement said.

TK Ramachandran, Chairman of VOC Port Trust thanked the entire team as well as the agents, which brought the first vessel with 14.20 metre draft to the Port.

He said, “With developmental projects on the horizon, this record parcel size vessel calling the Port would be a game changer to the Port to handle more cargo and the trade to reap the benefit of ‘Economies of Scale’ in handling coal, lime stone, rock phosphate and bulk cargo in coming days.” 

He added that handling of 14.20 metre draft vessels at VOC Port would give fillip to the prospective stakeholders involved in dry bulk cargo and container vessels. He also stated that VOC Port’s ability to handle ships of higher draft would help to become a transhipment hub in the future.