V.O. Chidambaranar Port in Tamil Nadu has handled its longest-ever container vessel after M.V. CMA CGM THORIUM, a 335.23-metre, 13,000-TEU-class ship, berthed at the Tuticorin International Container Terminal (TICT).
The vessel surpasses the previous record of 304 metres established by M.V. MSC Michaela in December 2025. The latest call increases the maximum container vessel length handled at the port by more than 31 metres within nine months.
Marine Infrastructure Upgrades Support Larger Vessel Calls
The increased vessel-handling capability follows upgrades to marine infrastructure and navigation facilities at V.O. Chidambaranar Port.
The port has raised its permissible draft to 14.2 metres and expanded the turning circle from 488 metres to 550 metres. It has also inducted two additional tugs to strengthen marine operations.
These changes have expanded the port’s operational capacity to accommodate larger container vessels and support their manoeuvring and berthing requirements.
CMA CGM Thorium Specifications and Port Call
M.V. CMA CGM THORIUM has an overall length of 335.23 metres and a beam of 51 metres. The vessel arrived at V.O. Chidambaranar Port with a draft of 13.5 metres.
The 13,000-TEU-class vessel can operate on methanol as well as conventional marine fuel. It arrived from Santos, Brazil, and is scheduled to sail for Singapore as its next port of call.
During its call at V.O. Chidambaranar Port, the vessel is scheduled to handle 3,276 TEUs. This includes 1,324 TEUs of import cargo and 1,952 TEUs of restow cargo.
TICT Infrastructure
The vessel is being handled at the Tuticorin International Container Terminal, which has an annual container-handling capacity of 6 lakh TEUs.
The terminal features a 370-metre quay, a permissible draft of 14.2 metres, three quay cranes, a 10-hectare backup area and 126 reefer points.
The terminal’s infrastructure, combined with the port’s navigational and marine improvements, enables the handling of larger container vessels.
Port’s Vessel-Handling Benchmark Rises
The latest vessel call marks a further increase in the size of ships handled at V.O. Chidambaranar Port.
In December 2025, M.V. MSC Michaela, measuring 304 metres, set the previous vessel-length record. The arrival of the 335.23-metre M.V. CMA CGM THORIUM nine months later raises the benchmark by more than 31 metres.
Shri Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, Chairperson, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, said:
“Over the past year, we have focused on strengthening the marine infrastructure required to receive larger vessels. Increasing the permissible draft, widening the turning circle and augmenting tug capacity were part of that effort. We are now beginning to see the operational outcome of these improvements, with the Port progressing from handling a 304-metre container vessel in December 2025 to a 335.23-metre vessel today. The next priority is to use this enhanced capability to attract more large-vessel calls, strengthen container volumes and improve the Port’s connectivity with global trade routes.”
Container Traffic Records Growth
The increase in vessel-handling capability comes as container traffic at V.O. Chidambaranar Port continues to grow.
During FY 2026–27 up to August 2026, the port handled 3.67 lakh TEUs, compared with 3.62 lakh TEUs during the corresponding period of the previous financial year.
Overall cargo traffic rose 2.10% to 18.27 million tonnes during the period, compared with 17.89 million tonnes in the corresponding period of the previous financial year.
Commemorative Event at TICT
A commemorative event was organised at TICT to mark the vessel’s arrival. Shri Rajesh Soundararajan, IAS, Deputy Chairperson, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, welcomed the Master of M.V. CMA CGM THORIUM in the presence of senior officials from the Port Authority and representatives of the terminal.
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