The V O Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA) in Tuticorin has signed several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at promoting port-led industrialisation, green hydrogen and fuels, and the integration of artificial intelligence in port operations.
Highlighting the port’s growing investment potential, VOCPA Chairman Susanta Kumar Purohit said the authority has signed around 28 MoUs with various stakeholders so far, reflecting a total investment of Rs 1,270 crore. “These agreements focus on port-led industrialisation, green hydrogen and green fuels, and advancing AI in our operations. At the award ceremony, VOC Port received the ‘Green Visionary’ award, demonstrating our commitment to sustainability,” Purohit added, noting that the investments will generate significant employment opportunities in the port region.
Earlier, on October 30, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal announced the signing of 23 MoUs worth over Rs 1.50 lakh crore at India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025. The agreements cover port augmentation and modernisation, green initiatives, shipbuilding and repair, and global academic and skill development. Sharing the update on X, Sonowal said these deals reflect global confidence in India’s growth story and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, reaffirming the government’s commitment to converting these partnerships into tangible progress for a self-reliant maritime sector.
Prime Minister Modi, in a detailed LinkedIn post, invited investors to engage with India’s maritime sector, citing the country’s long coastline, strategic trade routes, world-class ports, and ambitious Blue Economy vision. He noted that India’s port capacity has more than doubled from 1,400 to 2,762 MMTPA, cargo handling increased from 972 to 1,594 MMT (including 855 MMT in FY 2024-25), and vessel turnaround time has been reduced from 93 hours to 48 hours.
