Sarbananda Sonowal Launches Rs 1,500 Cr Projects at VOC Port, Boosts Green Hydrogen and Digital Push
A key highlight was the inauguration of the VOC Maritime Heritage Museum, dedicated to India’s maritime legacy and freedom fighter V.O. Chidambaranar. The museum is expected to promote tourism and community engagement while celebrating the maritime history of the Coromandel Coast.
The minister also launched projects related to rail and road connectivity, power infrastructure upgrades, renewable energy integration including solar, wind, battery storage and green hydrogen production, along with advanced safety systems and digital platforms. VOC Port has already operationalised a pilot green hydrogen project and plans commercial-scale development by 2029. Officials said initiatives such as green methanol, e-ammonia partnerships and carbon capture projects are positioning the port as a future-ready green fuel hub.
The port has deployed India’s first comprehensive Digital Twin platform for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance, along with an anti-drone security system. Sonowal said initiatives including the Outer Harbour project and shipbuilding development, aligned with Maritime Vision 2047, will strengthen the port’s role as a transshipment hub and promote inclusive growth.
Operational performance has also improved, with cargo handling rising 6 percent to 35.97 million tonnes between April 2025 and January 2026, and container volumes growing 9.4 percent to over 716,000 TEUs. The projects are expected to reduce logistics costs, boost industrial growth in southern Tamil Nadu and generate employment, reinforcing VOC Port’s position as a green and technologically advanced maritime gateway.
Published on:
24 February 2026
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