V.O. Chidambaranar Port's international container terminal has inaugurated a new feeder shuttle service linking Thoothukudi, India, and Colombo, Sri Lanka. This initiative, launched by the JM Baxi Group, is designed to enhance maritime connectivity and boost trade opportunities for exporters and importers in the region. The service was inaugurated by Rajesh Soundararajan, Deputy Chairperson of the VOC Port Authority, alongside other officials. The first vessel, M.V. Serene Ingrid, can carry 669 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) and will transport 169 TEUs on its maiden voyage. The shuttle will operate two port calls weekly, with sailings from Thoothukudi on Tuesdays and Fridays and from Colombo on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Additionally, the service accommodates dangerous goods cargo, offering increased flexibility for trade. Susanta Kumar Purohit, Chairperson of the VOC Port Authority, emphasized the port's commitment to expanding container shipping connectivity and supporting EXIM trade growth. With the forthcoming third container terminal, the port's combined capacity is expected to reach 1.8 million TEUs, further solidifying its position as a key hub for container handling on India's East Coast.