V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority registered its highest single-day cargo handling of 217,332 tonnes (0.217 million tonnes, 0.217 mn t) on 5 September 2026, surpassing the previous record of 216,631 tonnes set on 18 February 2026. The total reflected a combination of bulk, liquid and containerised shipments. Containerised traffic accounted for 66,927 t, equal to 3,348 TEUs, and contributed materially to the milestone. The day’s cargo mix was led by coal at 62,466 t and thermal coal at 49,067 t, followed by limestone at 20,671 t. Other consignments included sulphuric acid at 10,188 t, palm oil at 5,400 t, sugar at 1,771 t, general cargo at 774 t and windmill blades at 68 t. The composition underlined the port’s role in handling diverse dry and liquid bulk commodities as well as project cargo. The port reported continued cargo growth in the current financial year, with August 2026 volumes of 3.535 million tonnes (3.535 mn t) compared with 3.233 million tonnes (3.233 mn t) in August 2025, representing growth of 9.36 per cent. Cumulative throughput from April to August 2026 stood at 18.27 million tonnes (18.27 mn t), up from 17.89 million tonnes (17.89 mn t) in the corresponding period, an increase of 2.10 per cent. Operational capacity has been supported by harbour mobile cranes, including two 124 tonne machines at North Cargo Berth?3 and seven additional units across Berths 1 to 7. Several infrastructure projects are under way to raise handling capacity and streamline cargo movement, including the upgrade of Berth No. 7 into a container terminal, the proposed development of Multi Cargo Berth No. 10 and mechanisation of North Cargo Berth?III to aid dry bulk operations. A 40?acre Custom Bond Area is being developed to expand storage, handling and evacuation capability. The chairperson indicated that completion of these facilities is expected to enable higher throughput and reinforce the port’s position as a major maritime gateway on the East Coast, supporting trade and regional economic growth.