The V.O. Chidambaranar Port (formerly Tuticorin port) had surpassed the annual cargo handling target. The Shipping Ministry had fixed a target of 260 lakh tonnes traffic for the year ending March.

The port had surpassed the target by handling 260.40 lt on March 10, says an official press release. The achievement was possible due to increase in volume of import cargoes including thermal coal, industrial coal, fertiliser, fertiliser raw materials and containerised cargo.

On the export front, there was an increase in cargo volumes in maize, containerised cargo, rice and granite stone, the release said.

raja@thehindu.co.in