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18 Jun 2026 / Tuticorin, India

VOC Port Authority issues minimum norms for safe berthing operations.

V. O. Chidambaranar Port Authority have introduced minimum operational norms for safe berthing and unberthing, including additional tug assessments and pilot deployment requirements.

Under the new requirements:

  • Non-container vessels with a draft exceeding 13.0 meters and a length overall (LOA) of up to 260.0 meters will require three tugs.
  • Non-container vessels with an LOA exceeding 260.0 meters will require four tugs and two pilots.
  • Container vessels with an LOA of more than 270.0 meters and up to 295.0 meters will require three tugs and two pilots.
  • Container vessels with an LOA exceeding 295.0 meters will require four tugs and two pilots.

Vessels exceeding the specified LOA thresholds will be subject to an additional tug assessment. Where a fourth tug is required, operators should allow for an additional assessment period of two hours during the planning process.

Source: V. O. Chidambaranar Port Authority Notice No. MAR/DC/CIRC/2026/D.127.

For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in India, contact us at [email protected].

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.

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