Tuticorin terminal boosts port capacity and trade

The Tuticorin International Container Terminal (TICT) was inaugurated to provide direct mainline connectivity for exporters, boosting VOC Port’s capacity with a deep draft and long berth. It will save India foreign exchange and reduce logistics costs, while also creating over 1,200 jobs.

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The Tuticorin International Container Terminal (TICT) was officially dedicated to the nation by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal. Serving as direct mainline connectivity for exporters, TICT enables them to ship cargo directly. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a video message, called TICT the “new star of India’s marine infrastructure” and highlighted its deep draft of over 14 meters and a 300-meter-long berth, which will significantly boost the VOC Port’s capacity.

Modi noted that the terminal will reduce logistics costs and save foreign exchange for India. He also mentioned several key projects related to VOC Port that were initiated during his visit two years ago. A standout feature of TICT is its commitment to gender diversity, with 40% of employees being women, symbolizing women-led development in the maritime sector.

According to port officials, TICT will help save approximately four million USD in foreign exchange per year, reduce logistics costs by around 200 USD per container, create over 1,200 jobs, and increase the port’s capacity by six lakh TEUs annually. Modi emphasized Tamil Nadu’s strategic importance in India’s economic growth, noting that the state, with three major ports and seventeen non-major ports, has become a key maritime trade hub. The Centre plans to invest over Rs 7,000 crore in developing an Outer Harbour Container Terminal to further expand VOC Port’s capacity.

Sonowal commended the early completion of the terminal within 100 days, calling it a milestone achievement. Built at a cost of Rs 434.17 crore, the terminal is a model of public-private partnership. He also flagged off the first container vessel from Tuticorin and launched projects worth Rs 485.67 crore, including a green hydrogen demonstration and a 400 KV rooftop solar project. Shantanu Thakur noted, “this is the time for us to start a new journey for ‘Brand India.'”