New Delhi, March 12 The VOC Port Authority has created an additional 90,000 square meters of space for shipping lines to store their containers in response to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, its Chairman Susanta Kumar Purohit said on Thursday.
The official made the remarks while responding to a question during the PHDCCI conference on shipbuilding and ship recycling.
"We have provided additional land to our customers where they can safely store their goods beyond the stipulated time," Purohit said, while explaining the preparations made to handle the situation of diverted containers.
However, the land remains unused as of now, as port operations and business have not been affected, he said.
He added that all major ports are in constant communication with the Ministry of Shipping, terminal operators, and shipping lines.
Further, the Chairman stated that the government is working to develop India as a hub for shipbuilding and ship recycling.
This move will help conserve resources and increase the availability of raw materials for shipbuilding, he said.
VO Chidambaranar Port (VOC Port) is one of the major ports in India, located in Tuticorin in the southern part of Tamil Nadu, with an annual cargo handling capacity of 82 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).
It is also one of the oldest operational ports, with trade links dating back to 123 AD.
Purohit said he "expects 9-10 per cent year-on-year growth in container traffic at the VOC Port".
