Despite the fact that the Covid-19 pandemic has thrown the global maritime trade landscape into disarray, VOC Port has handled 26.05 million tonnes of cargo and 5.93 lakh Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEUs) of containers through December 2021. It has recorded 10.37% growth in cargo handling in the first three quarters. T K Ramachandran, chairman of the VOC port trust, said at the 73rd Republic day celebrations at the port school ground on Wednesday that this is 10.37% more than the same period last year. Ramachandran said that the port will host several events, including the establishment of a Tamil Nadu Maritime Heritage Museum and a VOC Museum, as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to commemorate and celebrate India's 75th year of independence. The chairman also informed that as part of the government of India's Gati Sakthi initiative, VOC Port has undertaken several projects, including the conversion of Berth No 9 into a third container terminal, the mechanisation of North Cargo Berth-3, and the conversion of Berths 1, 2, 3, and 4 into container terminals. He sought full support from the maritime community to realise the port's vision of becoming the east coast of India's transshipment hub. Ramachandran also handed out traffic performance awards for the 2020-21 fiscal year to steamer agents, stevedores, container vessel operators, container liners, container freight stations, customs house agents, exporters, importers, and business partners, as well as meritorious awards to officers and staff from the port's various departments. Steel cots, wheelchairs, foam mattresses, bedsheets, pillows, and adult diapers valued at Rs 5 and 2 lakh were also given to old age homes run by the Thoothukudi district administration. Rathi Devi, the district social welfare officer, received it. Image SourceAlso read: Govt plan to develop seven operational cargo berths gets industry nod