V. O. C. Port completes dredging and enhances its capacity to handle big ships

By Admin

24 May, 2025

A New Milestone in Maritime Infrastructure

V.O. Chidambaranar Port (VOC Port), one of India’s premier maritime gateways, has achieved a significant milestone by successfully completing a capital dredging project aimed at enhancing its cargo handling capabilities. The dredging, which began on April 5, 2025, and concluded on May 16, 2025, involved deepening the draft in front of North Cargo Berth-III to 14.20 metres and widening the Turning Circle diameter in the inner harbour from 488 metres to 550 metres. This major infrastructure upgrade will now allow the port to berth larger bulk carriers and container vessels, further strengthening its status as a key logistics hub in South India.

Creating Land from the Sea: Turning Dredged Material into Assets

In a pioneering move, VOC Port embraced a “Waste to Wealth” strategy by repurposing dredged materials that would traditionally be considered waste. Approximately 8,00,000 cubic metres of dredged material—mainly calcareous sandstone, sandstones, and calcarenite—was used to reclaim land at designated sites near the coal yard and east of the windmill blade storage yard. This initiative resulted in the creation of 11.5 hectares of new land that will be dedicated to cargo storage and berth backup operations.

Sustainability Meets Strategy

The Chairperson of the V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, Shri Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, highlighted the environmental and strategic benefits of utilizing dredged materials. This innovative approach reduces the ecological impact of traditional landfill practices, cuts costs—since conventional landfill materials cost around ₹600 per cubic metre—and aligns with environmental regulations. It also enhances resource efficiency by reducing the dependence on construction-grade fill material, making port operations more sustainable and future-ready.

Legacy of Expansion and Reclamation

VOC Port has a rich history of executing capital dredging projects—in 1999, 2010, 2015, and 2018—to progressively improve the draft of berths, turning circles, and approach channels. Over the years, these projects have led to the reclamation of approximately 146 hectares of land. Significant developments on this reclaimed land include:

• Tuticorin International Container Terminal and Dakshin Bharat Gateway Terminal, providing a combined 20 hectares of backup area
  
  

• Coal storage yard covering 57 hectares
  
  

• Windmill blade storage yard with 13 hectares
  
  

• Proposed multi-cargo Berth-10 and storage yard over 8.6 hectares
  
  

• Future Green Hydrogen/Ammonia Storage Firms, designated with 17 hectares
  
  

Looking Ahead

With this latest dredging project and sustainable land reclamation effort, V.O.C. Port reinforces its commitment to innovation, efficiency, and environmental stewardship. By turning operational by-products into valuable assets, the port not only increases its capacity but also sets a benchmark for responsible maritime development. As global trade continues to grow, VOC Port stands poised to meet future demands while embracing a green and cost-effective operational philosophy.