Tuticorin Port Trust - A forward looking port

Tuticorin Port Trust - A forward looking port

 

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History | Location | Layout | Construction Details | Important Milestones | ISO 9001:2000 - Certificate of Approval | Chairman's Message | ISO 14001:2004 Certificate of Approval | Our Vision

History of Tuticorin Port:

Tuticorin has been a centre for maritime trade and pearl fishery for more than a century. 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.

Tuticorin became the citadel of the freedom struggle in the early 20th century. In 1906, one of the greatest freedom fighters of India, Mr. V.O. Chidambaram Pillai, launched the first swadeshi ship "S.S. Gaelia" in British India.DD

After Independence, the minor Port of Tuticorin witnessed a flourishing trade and handled a variety of cargo meant for the neighbouring countries of Sri Lanka, Maldives etc. and the coastal regions of India.

To cope with the increasing trade through Tuticorin, the Government of India sanctioned the construction of an all-weather Port at Tuticorin. On July 11,1974, the newly constructed Tuticorin Port was declared as the 10th major port 1st April 1979, the erstwhile Tuticorin minor Port and the newly constructed Tuticorin major Port were merged and the Tuticorin Port Trust was constituted under the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963.

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Construction details:

Tuticorin Port is an artificial deep-sea harbour formed with rubble mound type parallel breakwaters projecting into the sea for about 4 km. (Length of North breakwater is 4098.66 m, length of South breakwater is 3873.37 m and the distance between the breakwaters is 1275m). The Port was designed and executed entirely through indigenous efforts. The harbour basin extends to about 400 hectares of protected water area and is served by an approach channel of 2400 metres length and 183 metres width.

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Advantages:

1.      Tuticorin is the only Port in Southern India to offer a direct weekly container service to U.S.A. Window berthing is provided on every Friday and the transit time to US is 22 days. Further, regular weekly direct services to Europe on every Tuesday (transit time 17 days), China on every Wednesday (transit time 10 days), Red Sea Ports on every Thursday (transit time 8 days) are also available. Besides, 26 services per month to Colombo are also available.

2.      For the import container from Bangalore, Salem & Dharmapuri region, concessional storage charges at Port area are offered on experimental basis.

3.      Port has good road / rail connectivity. Presently two ICD rakes viz. One ICD train leaving Bangalore on every Sunday and another ICD train leaving on Wednesday are available for connection vessel to Europe and USA separately.

4.      Based on volume, Port could facilitate sharing of infrastructure facilities available at Oil Jetty to handle POL products.

5.      Port has vast open space within and outside security wall for storage of cargo. Requisition for allotment of land on short term basis for 11 months could be considered within one month time.

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Important Milestones:

The important milestones in the development of Tuticorin are given below:

Declaration of Tuticorin Port as a major Port

11.07.1974

Commissioning of the Oil mooring berth

13.07.1974

Commissioning of the first two alongside berths
(VOC I & II)

02.12.1975

Commissioning of the next two alongside berths
(VOC III & IV)

31.12.1976

Constitution of the Port Trust Board

01.04.1979

Commissioning of Oil Jetty

26.04.1980

Commissioning Coal jetty I

01.03.1983

Commissioning of fifth alongside berth (AB 1)

05.09.1983

Commissioning of sixth alongside berth (AB 2)

01.01.1984

Commissioning of Coal jetty II

27.02.1995

Certification of ISO 9002

12.03.1996

Introduction of Night navigation

12.10.1996

Commissioning of alongside berth 7

05.09.1998

Licensing out berth no 7 to M/S PSA-SICAL

15.07.1998

Commissioning of shallow draught berth

10.05.1999

Completion of Dredging in Harbour Basin (11.90m) and Approach Channel (12.50m)

05.11.1999

Functioning of a world standard Container Terminal

21.12.1999

Introduction of main line service to U.S.

17.10.2001

Commissioning of Berth No.8

02.02.2002

Switchover to ISO 9001:2000 standards

23.04.2003

Entering 30th year of existence as a Major Port

11.07.2003

Introduction of direct main line service to Europe

16.07.2003

Completion of Dredging Dock Basin in front of berth No.8

24-09-2003

Inclusion of our port in Western Circuit of Cruise Tourism

26.12.2003

Silver Jubilee Celebration

10.07.2004

Registration of Sethusamudram Corporation Ltd.

06.12.2004

Sethusamudram Website launched

30.06.2005

Inauguration of Sethusamudram Project

02.07.2005

ISO 14001 : 2004 Certificate of Approval

16.09.2005

Commissioning of Berth No.9

14.07.2008

Commissioning of Four Lane Road

06.11.2008

Inauguration of Capital Dredging Project to Deepen Inner Harbour 06.11.2008

Chairman's Message

 

Dear Customers and Business Partners! 

        The Port of Tuticorin is one of the largest economic engine in southern part of Tamilnadu and continues to be a shining star facilitating India’s Economic growth. Even during the time of economic downturn, there is a continuous and steady flow of exports and imports through the Port due to its efficiency, vision and market orientation.

 

      During the financial year 2009-10, the Port has handled it highest ever volume of 23.78 Million Tonnes, which is 8% higher than the volume handled during the previous fiscal.

 

      The impressive cargo growth rate patronised by Industries in the Hinterland has induced the Port Management to take proactive steps to augment the port infrastructure facilities. The Port is poised to enhance the existing capacity from 22.81 Million Tonnes to 52.12 Million Tonnes in 2015-16 and subsequently to 72.82 Million Tonnes in 2019-20 through various projects like construction of North Cargo Berth – I, II, III, IV, Construction of two shallow draft berths, Dredging the Dock basin to cater to handling bigger vessels, Mechanisation of Berths, System development through ERP and further strengthening Port Security.

 

     At Tuticorin Port, the ultimate objective is to match our focus and mission with the needs of our customers and employees. Backed by the unstinting efforts of all our employees, we will grow into an organisation that is second to none in building new value and bringing happiness to our customers.

 

     Let me know, if there are any issues that you think should be top priority for us to help you to grow your business through the Port.

 

     You can always feel free to contact me directly for sharing a happy note which would be more encouraging or for sharing your grievance / suggestion / feedback which would pave way for further improvement

 

A.Subbiah, I.A.S
  

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VISION

To be the preferred Indian Port.

MISSION

To provide efficient seaport and logistics services of the best value to our customers.

OUR VALUES

Total satisfaction of customers.

Partnership with stakeholders.

Commitment to quality and Teamwork.

Fairness, accountability and transparency in work.

Consideration for social and natural environment.

Value addition through productivity, Safety and Security.