UN/LOCODE: INTUT📍 India
Port of Tuticorin (UN/LOCODE INTUT)
❖ Coordinates: 8.7800°N, 78.1300°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Calcutta
❖ UN/LOCODE: INTUT
## About the Port
The **Port of Tuticorin** (UN/LOCODE: **INTUT**) is a natural deep‑water harbor located on the southeastern coast of India, in the state of **Tamil Nadu**. Situated at **8.78° N latitude and 78.13° E longitude**, the port operates on **India Standard Time (Asia/Calcutta, UTC+5:30)**. Managed by the **V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority**, Tuticorin is the only multi‑modal container terminal on the east coast of the Indian sub‑continent and is strategically positioned to serve the industrial hinterland of South India, including the heavy‑industry belts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and inland Karnataka. Its geographic advantage—approximately 3 km offshore with a naturally protected basin—allows year‑round navigation for vessels up to **75 m draft**, making it a pivotal gateway for both bulk and containerised cargo.
## History
### Early Development (19th Century – 1947)
Tuticorin’s origins trace back to the British colonial era when the **Madras Presidency** identified the site as a viable entrepôt for cotton, spices, and later, iron ore. The first **customs house** was erected in 1861, and by 1881 the harbor accommodated steamships transporting tea and coffee to European markets.
### Post‑Independence Expansion (1947 – 1990)
Following India’s independence, the central government recognised Tuticorin’s latent capacity and initiated a series of dredging projects to deepen the navigational channel. The **Port Trust Act of 1967** transferred administration to a dedicated board, paving the way for systematic infrastructural upgrades, including the construction of a **single‑point mooring (SPM)** for crude oil handling in the 1970s.
### Modernisation Era (1990 – Present)
The liberalisation of India’s trade regime in the early 1990s spurred the **Port Modernisation Scheme**, under which Tuticorin received significant private‑sector investment. The establishment of the **V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority** in 1994 marked a shift to a **public‑private partnership (PPP)** model. Since then, the port has undergone a phased expansion, adding **container terminals, liquid cargo berths, and a dedicated automobile terminal**. In 2021, the port celebrated the commissioning of its **13‑meter deep draught terminal**, making it the deepest cargo‑handling facility on India’s east coast.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
| Facility | Specification | Operational Highlights |
|----------|----------------|------------------------|
| **General Cargo Berths** | 2 berths, 12 m depth, 6 000 m² quay length | Handles steel products, timber, and project cargo. |
| **Container Terminal** | 2 super‑post‑Panamax berths, 13 m draft, 1 200 m quay length | Equipped with **4 RTG cranes**, **ECS**, and **automated gate system**; annual capacity **≈ 2 million TEU**. |
| **Liquid Cargo Terminal** | 1 SPM & 2 jetty berths, 14 m draft | Dedicated to crude oil, LPG, and petro‑chemical imports; 5 million t/yr handling capacity. |
| **Automobile Terminal** | 2 dedicated berths, 3 000 m² apron | Annual handling of **≈ 300,000 units**, with pre‑delivery inspection areas. |
| **Dry Bulk Terminal** | 4 berths, 12 m depth, conveyor‑based loading system | Supports coal, iron ore, and fertilizers; annual throughput **≈ 15 Mt**. |
| **Warehousing & Inland Container Depots (ICDs)** | 12 ha of covered storage, 8 ICDs within a 150 km radius | Provides **Customs‑Bonded** and **Free‑Trade Zone** services. |
| **Connectivity** | • **National Highway 66**, **NH 45B**<br>• **Broad‑gauge rail link** (1 km from the quay)<br>• **Multimodal logistics park** (planned) | Direct road‑rail access to **Chennai, Coimbatore, and Bangalore**. |
The port also operates a **state‑of‑the‑art pilotage service**, a **marine engineering workshop**, and a **customs clearance platform integrated with the Indian Customs’ Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)** system. The **Port Community System (PCS)** facilitates real‑time data exchange among shipping lines, freight forwarders, and terminal operators, enhancing turnaround efficiency.
## Economic Importance
### Regional Catalyst
Tuticorin serves as the primary maritime outlet for **Tamil Nadu’s industrial ecosystem**, which accounts for **≈ 18 % of India’s manufacturing GDP**. The port’s cargo handling volume—**≈ 70 Mt** in FY 2023‑24—directly supports sectors such as **automobile assembly (Ford, Hyundai, Renault‑Nissan), petro‑chemical processing (Southern Petrochemical), and heavy engineering (Larsen & Toubro)**.
### Employment & Revenue Generation
The port’s operations generate **over 45,000 direct and indirect jobs**, encompassing stevedoring, logistics, and ancillary services. Fiscal contributions exceed **₹ 3,200 crore** annually in **port dues, landing charges, and customs duties**, reinforcing its role as a significant revenue source for the **Tamil Nadu State Government** and the **Indian Union Treasury**.
### Strategic Trade Linkage
Tuticorin’s deep‑draft capability positions it as a **trans‑shipment hub** for the **Bay of Bengal** and the **South‑East Asian maritime corridor**. It provides a cost‑effective alternative to the congested ports of **Chennai and Kolkata**, especially for **large‑volume bulk imports** (e.g., coal for thermal power plants) and **export‑oriented container shipments** destined for the **Middle East, Europe, and the United States**.
### Emerging Opportunities
The upcoming **Coastal Economic Zone (CEZ)**, announced under the **National Maritime Agenda 2022**, earmarks **12 sq km** adjacent to the port for **industrial clusters**, **special economic zones**, and **logistics parks**. This initiative is expected to boost cargo volumes by **≈ 15 %** over the next decade, reinforcing Tuticorin’s status as a **growth pole** in India’s “Maritime Vision 2035”.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### International Trade Lanes
- **East‑West Corridor**: Regular liner services connect Tuticorin to **Singapore, Colombo, and Dubai**, facilitating re‑export of **textiles, engineering goods, and automotive components**.
- **North‑South Axis**: Direct voyages to **Rotterdam, Hamburg, and New York** enable high‑value container traffic, primarily for **electronics and consumer goods**.
- **Intra‑Regional Feeder**: Short‑sea vessels link Tuticorin with **Visakhapatnam, Kolkata, and Port Blair**, supporting coastal cargo consolidation.
### Principal Cargo Types
| Cargo | Volume (FY 2023‑24) | Primary Origin/Destination |
|-------|---------------------|----------------------------|
| **Containers (TEU)** | 2.1 million | Exports: **Garments, Machinery, Auto Parts**; Imports: **Electronics, Raw Chemicals** |
| **Liquid Bulk** | 5.3 million t | Crude oil (import) from **Middle East**, LPG from **Qatar**, petro‑chemical feedstocks from **Saudi Arabia** |
| **Dry Bulk** | 13.8 million t | Coal (import) from **Australia**, Iron ore from **Indonesia**, Fertilizers from **Russia** |
| **Automobiles** | 285 000 units | Export of **assembled vehicles** to **UAE, Saudi Arabia, and East Africa** |
| **Project Cargo** | 1.2 Mt (equivalent) | Heavy equipment for **hydropower, refinery, and infrastructure** projects across South India |
The **container throughput** has been driven by the **Automobile Component Export Promotion Scheme (ACEPS)**, while **liquid bulk** remains pivotal for the **Tamil Nadu Power Development Corporation** and regional refineries. Seasonal spikes in **dry bulk** align with the monsoon‑driven agricultural cycle, feeding **fertilizer manufacturers** and **port‑based steel mills**.
### Outlook on Trade Dynamics
With the **Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)** fostering greater connectivity across the Indian Ocean, Tuticorin is positioned to capture increased **trans‑Pacific freight**. Moreover, the **International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2025 sulphur cap** is prompting a shift towards **low‑sulphur fuel imports**, a sector where Tuticorin’s liquid terminal is rapidly expanding its **cryogenic storage** capacity.
For detailed technical specifications, consult the **Port Authority’s master plan** and the **Indian Ministry of Shipping’s annual reports** (Ministry of Shipping↗).
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*This article consolidates publicly available data from the V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, government publications, and reputable maritime databases to provide a concise yet comprehensive profile of the Port of Tuticorin.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
INTUT
Country
India
Province / Region
Tamil Nadu
Latitude
8.780000
Longitude
78.130000
Timezone
Asia/Calcutta
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Tuticorin?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Tuticorin is INTUT.
Where is Port of Tuticorin located?
The Port of Tuticorin is located in India, Tamil Nadu. Its coordinates are 8.7800°N, 78.1300°E.
What time zone is Port of Tuticorin in?
Port of Tuticorin operates in the Asia/Calcutta time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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