VOC Port, the vibrant seaport in southern India, has registered significant growth in LPG handling. In the current financial year 2025–26, the Port has handled 1,33,520 tonnes of LPG up to July, marking a growth of 40.01 percent compared to the 95,364 tonnes handled during the same period of the previous financial year 2024– 25. Over the past five years, LPG handling at the Port has demonstrated strong performance with steady year-on-year growth. The volumes have steadily increased from 0.58 lakh tonnes in 2020–21, to 0.70 lakh tonnes in 2021–22, 0.94 lakh tonnes in 2022–23, 2.98 lakh tonnes in 2023–24, and reached a largest 4.02 lakh tonnes in 2024–25. All LPG operations are being efficiently carried out at the Oil Jetty, ensuring smooth cargo movement and reliable service to stakeholders. The Oil Jetty is equipped with a berth having a quay length of 150 metres and a draft of 13 metres, capable of handling vessels with a Length Overall (LOA) ranging from 150 to 230 metres. At present, the Oil Jetty can accommodate vessels up to 40,000 DWT. To further enhance its capacity, the Port is upgrading the facility by constructing new berthing dolphins within the existing structure, enabling it to handle vessels up to 55,000 DWT.
The major companies that handle LPG through Port include SHV Energy Pvt. Ltd., Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (Tuticorin), and SHV Gas Supply & Risk Management. Alongside LPG, Port has also recorded a steady increase in overall liquid cargo handling. Volumes have steadily risen from 15.24 lakh metric tonnes in 2022-23, to 16.29 lakh metric tonnes in 2023-24, and further to 18.79 lakh metric tonnes in 2024– 25. Cargo operations are undertaken through VOC Berths 1 to 7, 10, 17, and the Coastal Berth. The major companies handling liquid cargo through the Port include Greenstar Fertilizers Limited, Southern Petrochemical Industries, DCW Ltd., K.T.V. Health Food Pvt. Ltd., and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., all of which play a key role in ensuring smooth and efficient cargo operations. Speaking on the development, Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, Chairperson, said that the steady growth in LPG and liquid cargo handling shows the Port’s strong commitment to meeting the nation’s energy and industrial needs. He further added that the oil jetty is being upgraded by strengthening the berth so that it can handle both smaller and larger ships.
