Tuticorin Port handles biggest ever consignment of imported windmill blades

V.O. Chidambaranar Port in Tuticorin on the Tamil Nadu coast, handled as many as 120 imported windmill blades, the highest volume ever in a single consignment,  on October 27, surpassing the previous highest import of 60 windmill blades, according to information provided by the Shipping Ministry today.

The flatbottomed Vessel ‘MV.NAN FENG ZHI XING’ with arrival draft of 6.60 metres, loaded with 120 windmill blades (Length:76.8 Metres), was berthed at the port on October 25 and the entire consignment was safely unloaded in a span of 44 hours with two harbour mobile cranes, the official statement said.

The windmill blades manufactured in China were shipped from the Port of Changshu and imported through VOC Port for the windmill farms operating across India.

V.O. Chidambaranar Port, which has established a commendable track record in handling of windmill blades and accessories, handled 2906 windmill blades during the financial year 2021-2022 and 1598 windmill blades during the first six months of the current financial year (April to September), the ministry;s statement explained.

The port provides ample storage area for stacking the windmill blades and congestion-free access to the long retractable windmill blade trucks. Access to the hinterland is also seamless through the National Highways network connecting the Port.

T.K. Ramachandran, chairman, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority said, “The excellent services offered by VOC Port in handling of windmill blades directly contributes towards sustainable development in the region and helps to enhance the renewable energy capacity of India”.