PM inaugurates Tuticorin International Container Terminal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the Tuticorin International Container Terminal at the VO Chidambaranar Port in Tamil Nadu, via video conference, marking a major milestone in India’s maritime development.

With a draft of more than 14 meters and an over 300 meter long berth, the Tuticorin International Container Terminal will give a big boost to cargo handling capacity of the V O C Port.

Modi said the new terminal will reduce logistics cost at the port and hailed the new container terminal as the ‘new star of India's marine infrastructure’.

Highlighting the VOC Port’s commitment to gender diversity, Modi said 40 per cent of employees at the new terminal are women, which is another achievement in the maritime sector.

Modi said Tamil Nadu has been in the forefront in the development of port infrastructure, adding that with three major ports and 17 minor ports, the state has become a major hub for maritime trade.

He said the centre has allocated 7,000 crore for the development of an Outer Harbour Container Terminal at the VOC Port, which will further enhance the port’s capacity.

Modi said the government’s emphasis on sustainable development of maritime infrastructure and the VOC Port is being developed as a green hydrogen hub and a nodal port for offshore wind energy. 

Connectivity, he said is key to ensuring India’s role as a major link in the global supply chain and that with a vast network of roads, highways, waterways and airports India will enhance its position in global trade.