VOCPA Leads Process Efficiency Reforms to Strengthen Trade Facilitation and Acknowledges Stakeholders Contribution to India Maritime Week, 2025
Recognising that sustained port competitiveness increasingly depends on process efficiency, predictability, and coordinated operations, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VoCPA) is advancing a structured programme of process-led reforms aimed at reducing operational friction, improving Ease of Doing Business, and strengthening trade facilitation.
As part of this reform agenda, VOCPA convened a Port Process Efficiency Workshop at Tuticorin in collaboration with Knowledge Partner KPMG, bringing together key stakeholders to diagnose process bottlenecks and identify priority areas for operational optimisation across the port ecosystem.
The workshop was inaugurated by Shri. Vijay Kumar, IAS., the Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), who underscored the importance of efficient port processes, stakeholder integration, and data-driven operations in enabling ports to support global trade, sustainability, and long-term growth in alignment with India’s maritime vision.
During the programme, VOCPA unveiled a Knowledge Paper titled “Unlocking Cargo Growth Potential at V.O. Chidambaranar Port”, outlining key operational themes and process areas with scope for improvement to support future cargo growth and enhanced service delivery.
Chairperson, Shri Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE,
In brief remarks, the Chairperson, Shri Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, noted that improvements in cargo performance over recent years have been driven by focused operational reforms, improved asset utilisation, and capacity enhancement measures. He emphasised that sustained progress would depend on continuous process refinement and closer integration across stakeholders to meet evolving trade requirements.
The Deputy Chairperson, Shri Rajesh Soundararajan, IAS., highlighted the importance of collaborative engagement with the trade ecosystem in supporting the Port’s operational efficiency agenda and institutional outreach efforts.
In a related interaction, VOCPA also acknowledged stakeholder collaboration supporting the Port’s initiatives and its participation in India Maritime Week 2025, held in Mumbai. VOCPA’S engagement at the national platform focused on presenting its initiatives in green port development, coastal shipping facilitation, digital transformation, and process-led improvements aligned with national maritime development priorities.
Stakeholder engagement was recognised as an important enabler in advancing the Port’s reform agenda and operational outcomes, reinforcing the role of collaboration in supporting national maritime development objectives.
The engagements concluded with a formal vote of thanks. VOCPA reaffirmed its commitment to process-led reform, stakeholder integration, and enhanced service delivery, supporting trade facilitation and India’s maritime growth.
