State-run V.O. Chidambaranar Port said has said that the upgradation of coal jetty-1 project is nearing completion and is expected to be commission by the last week of January this year.
With this, the port will be able to handle an additional 7.2 lakh tonne of cargo annually, giving a major boost for efficiency and growth at the port, the authority said in a statement.
According to the company, the 240m link conveyor project connecting Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) conveyor and the port’s coal yard is nearing completion and set to be commissioned by last week of January 2025.
In 2017, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Trust and Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) signed an agreement for the upgradation of coal jetty (CJ)–I & II.
The upgraded CJ-I and II will help in catering to the coal requirement of TANGEDCO’s existing thermal power stations (TTPS) as also the upcoming thermal power stations at Uppur and Kadaladi.
“This capacity, once operational, will streamline coal handling operations and also reduce vessel turnaround time. It will also enhance port’s cargo handling as it can now handle an additional 7.2 lakh tonne of cargo annually,” the authority said.
V.O. Chidambaranar Port Trust is also upgrading the coal jetty II. With this, the cost of logistics for handling coal for the thermal plants of TANGEDCO is expected to reduce due to freight advantage arising out of handling 65000 to 80000 Tonnes parcel size vessels. Handling charges per tonne will reduce due to increased discharge rate and reduced turnaround time of the vessel.
Meanwhile, the port handled 7,85,389 TEUs of containers during the calendar year 2024, reflecting an 8.37 per cent increase, compared to the 7,24,696 TEUs handled in the calendar year 2023.
“This growth underscores the port’s commitment to operational excellence and improved logistics management. The increase is attributed to enhanced capacity, over 30 moves / per hour at par with global standards, seamless road connectivity from the industrious hinterland of Tamil Nadu, ease of doing business initiatives, faster refund of IGST to exporters and skilled maritime professionals to handle time sensitive cargo,” the authority said.
