V.O. Chidambaranar Port in Thoothukudi set a new record on September 13, 2026, by berthing the 335.23-metre-long container vessel, CMA CGM Thorium. Arriving from Brazil with over 13,000 containers, the ship surpasses the previous record of 304 metres set by M.V. MSC Michaela in December 2025.
This achievement follows significant infrastructure upgrades, including increasing the permissible draft to 14.2 metres, widening the turning circle to 550 metres, and adding two new tugs. These improvements allow the port to accommodate larger vessels and enhance its overall operational capacity.
Port Chairman Susanta Kumar Purohit stated that these investments are part of a strategic effort to attract more large-vessel traffic and improve global trade connectivity. The port has reported steady growth in container and cargo volumes during the current fiscal year.
