The V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority has floated a global tender to upgrade Berth No. 7 at the VOC Port in Thoothukudi into a modern container terminal capable of handling large container vessels of up to 12,100 Twenty foot equivalent unit (TEU) capacity, with a draft of 14.20 m.
The ₹517-crore project, proposed on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis for a concession period of 30 years, is expected to create an annual handling capacity of 4.2 lakh TEUs. The port authority has invited global participation for the project, which is aimed at strengthening the port’s container handling capability and boosting India’s maritime infrastructure.
According to the tender document, the proposed upgradation includes strengthening the existing berth with new piles, dredging the berth pocket to a depth of minus 16.5 metres, and installing new fenders, bollards and utility infrastructure. The project also envisages deployment of modern container handling equipment such as quay cranes, rubber tyred gantry cranes (RTGCs), electric tractor trailers and reach stackers.
