New container capacity, green hydrogen and methanol infrastructure, renewable energy and logistics upgrades strengthen Thoothukudi’s maritime gateway
Chennai / Thoothukudi, 11 October 2026: Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today set in motion the next phase of development at V.O. Chidambaranar Port, inaugurating and laying the foundation stones for eight projects involving a cumulative investment of ₹753.68 crore.
The projects are significant not merely for the scale of investment, but for the direction they give the Port’s growth through greater container capacity, infrastructure for the emerging clean-fuel economy, and stronger landside logistics for faster and more efficient cargo movement.
Together, they strengthen VOC Port’s ability to serve the expanding industrial and trade requirements of southern Tamil Nadu while preparing the Port for the changing demands of global shipping.
The largest investment in the package is the ₹517.19-crore conversion of Berth No. 7 into a Container Terminal, for which the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone.
The new terminal will add 4.2 lakh TEUs of annual container-handling capacity, creating a substantial addition to VOC Port’s container infrastructure. With a 370-metre quay, around 10 hectares of backup area, three quay cranes and nine RTGCs, the terminal is being designed for higher-volume and more efficient container operations. The proposed enhancement of draft to 14.20 metres will also facilitate calls by larger mainline container vessels.
The additional capacity is expected to improve shipping connectivity for exporters and importers, reduce dependence on transshipment and strengthen VOC Port’s position as a principal container gateway for southern Tamil Nadu and its wider hinterland.
A second defining element of the development package is the creation of infrastructure for the next generation of maritime energy.
The Hon’ble Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for a 3 MW Green Hydrogen Manufacturing and Refuelling Station, being developed at an estimated cost of ₹81.33 crore. The facility will integrate green hydrogen production, storage and refuelling, enabling its use in Port vehicles and creating an operational ecosystem around hydrogen as a clean fuel.
The Hon’ble Prime Minister also inaugurated the Green Methanol Bunkering and Refuelling Facility, developed at a cost of ₹38.12 crore. With two 750 cubic metre storage tanks and an approximately 2.8-km pipeline connecting the facility to the Oil Jetty, the project creates dedicated infrastructure for the handling and bunkering of green methanol at VOC Port.
The significance of these projects extends beyond reducing the Port’s own emissions. Together, the hydrogen and methanol facilities begin building the infrastructure required for VOC Port to participate in the wider transition of shipping towards cleaner fuels.
The Prime Minister said that India is giving greater importance to the shipping sector and that Tamil Nadu has a major role to play in the country’s maritime development. Referring to an investment of approximately ₹17,000 crore by the Union Government, he said that VOC Port at Thoothukudi is being developed into a world-class mega container port and green energy hub. Upon completion of the project, the Port would be able to receive ultra-large container vessels, helping Tamil Nadu develop into a global hub for industry and transportation.
The Prime Minister also highlighted improvements in the speed and efficiency of Indian ports in recent years. He observed that vessel turnaround times had been halved, enabling faster movement of goods across the world while saving both time and money.
You cannot copy content of this page
