IIT-Madras experts studying possibility to deepen VOC Port

Deputy Chairman, VOC Port, N Vaiyapuri said the draft in the seaport has been deepened to 14 from the previous 12.8 metres. “A team from IIT Madras is currently undertaking a survey to prepare a detailed project report to further deepen the draft to 16 metres,” he said.

“At present, a mainline vessel with a capacity to hold 4,000-5,000 TEUs can be handled. It can be increased to 8,000 TEUs when the harbour is dredged even more to accommodate large vessels,” Vaiyapuri added.

Furthermore, when contacted, Port Chairman Rinkesh Roy told DT Next that two ocean liners have shown interest to operate mainline (mother) vessels to Europe, United States and Far East countries. Their plans could materialise in another two or three months, he said.

Reacting to the developments, the EXIM (Export -Import) traders here are looking forward to expanding their international maritime operations. The port witnessed the visit of its first mainline vessel last month.

According to J P Joe Villavarayar, president, Tuticorin Ship Agents Association, handling of mainline container vessels by the port would help to cut freight cost by half since it reduces the dependence on Colombo, which is a major trans-shipment hub at present.

“Container cargo to the tune of six lakh TEUs is being handled with the aid of two terminals every year on an average. If cargo from Chennai and Cochin gets diverted to Thoothukudi Port, its volume will go up to eight lakh TEUs,” Villavarayar said.

“A feeder vessel has a capacity of about 1,200-1,300 TEUs, but a mother vessel has capacity to carry 6,000 TEUs,” he said. While salt is being exported from the port in huge volumes to Korea and East Malaysia, cotton yarn and copper slug are exported to China and Taiwan respectively.

Welcoming the facility, PSSK Raja Sankaralingam, president, Tuticorin Sipcot Industrialists Association, said it would help the EXIM traders to compete in global market. With freight cost reducing, the VOC Port can attract more cargo volume, he added.

A Sakthivel, president, Tirupur Exporters Association, said garment exporters prefer to shop their cargo from Thoothukudi as it closer than Chennai. He demanded that shipping companies introduce more mainline vessels to Thoothukudi.

Villavarayar said the port users had been pushing this demand. A trade facilitation meet with garment exporters is scheduled in Coimbatore and Pollachi on January 9.