VO Chidambaranar Port planning to develop the port as gateway for trade in South India by V O C Port
Coimbatore – Pollachi Trade meet was organized by joint efforts of VOC Port Trust, Dakshin Bharat Gateway Terminal (DBGT), Tuticorin Ship Agent’s Association(TSAA), Tuticorin Customs Broker’s Association(TCBA) and Tuticorin CFS Association(TCFSA) on 9th January 2019 in Pollachi and Coimbatore. Meet was held to appraise the users about recent developments at VOC Port-Tuticorin, current infrastructure and future plans to develop the port as gateway for trade in South India including various concession to the trade.
Information highlighted by port, terminal and associations included current increase in draught to 14.2 meter, LOA limit increase to 310 meters with beam length to 48 meters, weekly call of mainline vessel (WAN HAI) to far east at DBGT terminal that results in reduction of transit time to far-east ports by 3-4 days and transshipment cost at Colombo, daily call to Colombo along with coastal services and service to gulf, 24X7 service operations, containers acceptance as late as 30minutes prior to vessel sailing, complete filing of error-free EGM and processing in ICEGAT that results in faster IGST refund and other export benefits for the trade, hence reduced working capital through initiatives such as EGMPro and Codex.
VOC Port has two container terminals – DBGT and PSA-SICAL with handling annual capacity of 1.3 Million TEUs with maximum draught of 14.2 meters with current utilization of 54%, with a scope of handling additional 6Lakh TEUs as per capacity designed. Port also has the infrastructure to handle additional cargo and plans to develop more container berths to accommodate future needs of the port. Port is also in discussion with Lines to start new mainline calls to east as well as west in coming months.
Shri Vaiyapurai- Dy Chairman VOC Port Trust, in his special address informed the port users and trade fraternity about the infrastructure development plan in coming 24 months that would enable port to handle biggest of mainline vessels with 16-meter draught &367 meters LOA and requested the trade fraternity to provide their valuable feedback so that port and other service providers at port can serve the trade better. Dy. Chairman also announced immediate availability of 244.58 acres land parcel with in port area for industrial expansion under Sagarmala that will result in lower cost for the industry and requested the trade to avail the facility for their industrial need.
Morning session was arranged in Pollachi where it was well received by trade fraternity and itwas graced by Shri CM Harirajan–President Coir Fibre Exporters Association,Shri Bhoobalan, Development Officer Coir Board, Shri Gowthaman–President CoCo Mans Pollachi, Shri Thuran K. Nagarajan – President Federation of Tamilnadu State Coir Association, Shri K. MalkarSayabu – General Secretary Federation of Tamilnadu State Coir Association along with 150 other Trade representatives of Pollachi region.
Second session was held at Coimbatore in evening which was attended by Shri Ramesh- Chairman, CCI Coimbatore, Dr. K. Selvaraju-General Secretary SIMA, V. Laxminarayana Swamy- President Indian Chambers Commerce & Industry along with 200 trade representatives.
