Tuticorin Port Trust

V.O.Chidambaranar Port, formerly Tuticorin Port, is one of the 12 major ports in India. It was declared to be a major port on 11 July 1974. It is second-largest port in Tamil Nadu and fourth-largest container terminal in India.After Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project V.O.C Port will be India's premier port and one of the major ports of Asia equal to Port of Singapore. V.O.Chidambaram Port is an artificial port. This is the third international port in Tamil Nadu and its second all-weather port. All V.O.Chidambaram Port's traffic handling has crossed 10 million tons from 1 April to 13 September 2008, registering a growth rate of 12.08 per cent, surpassing the corresponding previous year handling of 8.96 million tons. It has services to USA, China, Europe, Sri Lanka and Mediterranean countries.The Station Commander, Coast Guard Station Tuticorin is located at Tuticorin Port,Tamil Nadu under the operational and administrative control of the Commander, Coast Guard Region (East), Chennai.The Coast Guard Station Tuticorin Port was commissioned on 25 Apr 1991 by Vice Admiral SW Lakhar, NM, VSM the then Director General Coast Guard. The Station Commander is responsible for Coast Guard operations in this area of jurisdiction in Gulf of Mannar. VOC Port Tuticorin is an ISO 9001:2008,ISO 14001:2004 and ISPS compliant Port.HistoryTuticorin has been a centre for maritime trade and pearl fishery for more than 2000 years. The natural harbour with a rich hinterland, activated the development of the Port, initially with wooden piers and iron screw pile pier and connections to the railways. Tuticorin was declared as a minor anchorage port in 1868. Since then there have been various developments over the years.