Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi announced the inauguration of the Tuticorin International Container Terminal, highlighting its importance as a major milestone for the country.
India’s PM referred to the terminal as the “new star of India’s marine infrastructure”, underlying its role in enhancing the capacity of the V.O.C. Port. Shri Narendra Modi emphasized that the terminal is expected to lower logistics costs and help India save foreign exchange.
Highlighting its role in expanding the capacity of the V.O. Chidambaranar Port, the Prime Minister said “with a deep draft of more than 14 meters and a berth over 300 meters long, this terminal will play a crucial role in enhancing the capacity of the V.O.C. port”.
The new terminal can handle 6 million TEUs per year and container vessels of up to 10,000 TEU capacity.
Acknowledging the vital role that Tamil Nadu’s coastline has played in driving India’s economic growth, Shri Modi noted, “With three major ports and seventeen non-major ports, Tamil Nadu has become a major hub for maritime trade.”
He added that to further boost the port-led development, India is investing over Rs 7,000 crore in the development of an Outer Harbour Container Terminal, and the capacity of the V.O.C. Port continues to grow.
“The V.O.C. Port is ready to write a new chapter in the maritime development of India,” pointed out Shri Narendra Modi. He also congratulated the people of Tamil Nadu and reflected on various projects related to the V.O.C. Port that were initiated during his visit two years ago, expressing satisfaction with their swift completion.
Shri Narendra Modi underlined that India is now well-connected with a vast network of roadways, highways, waterways and airways strengthening the nation’s position in global trade.
“India is becoming a major stakeholder in the global supply chain and this growing capacity is the foundation of our economic growth,” the Prime Minister emphasized. He concluded his address by expressing confidence that this momentum will propel India to become the world’s third-largest economy soon and Tamil Nadu is playing a pivotal role in driving this growth.
