Women steer change, form 45% workforce at VOC Port’s Berth 9 container terminal

Berth 9 at V.O. Chidambaranar Port in Thoothukudi, operating under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, is special, it stands out from other port terminals across the world. As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, about 45% of its workforce, who are women, silently go about their regular tasks.

What is Berth 9, then? Berth 9 houses a container terminal where women are engaged in various positions including administrative roles, as rubber tyre gantry (RTG) crane operators, wharf checkers, medical personnel, and as members of the planning team.

Rajakumari, 33, an English graduate, who works as an RTG crane operator at the terminal, said: “I came to know about the vacancy through friends, and applied for the post. Following a two-and-a-half-month training programme in Vishakapatnam, I started in the role.”

Adding that her current job is a complete departure from her academic background, she said the training period helped build her confidence. As most seaports across the country recruit male workers to operate RTG cranes, Ms. Rajakumari said: “As a woman, I feel really proud to be an RTG crane operator, as we are pioneers at VOC Port.”

R. Laveena, 23, a B. Com graduate and another RTG crane operator, said she was not merely filling a post; instead, she was satisfied with her job, which she believed was truly unique when compared to what her friends did.

An official from the Berth 9’s administration said around 29 of the 40 RTG crane operators were women. He added that the terminal also had women employees in the planning team, which was usually considered the backbone of terminal operations. The team has an air planner, vessel planner, and tower controller, all sections operated by women. Women at the terminal work across gate operations, yard planning, equipment handling, and security services, playing an active role in the terminal’s functioning.

Nisha, 23, of Thoothukudi, who is part of the planning team, said although her undergraduate degree had nothing to do with the job she was doing at the port now, she enjoyed the job and was proud of being in the first batch of women in the planning team.

The presence of women across operational and planning roles at the terminal reflected the gradual shift in the traditionally-male dominated port sector. Officials said there was a conscious effort to make the terminal more inclusive of women.

Susanta Kumar Purohit, Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers, Chairperson, VOC Port Authority, said: “This part of the country has an excellent work culture, reflecting the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,’ which means the world is one family.” He said there was strong encouragement for women employees at the port.

“We are planning to make Berth 9 a completely women-led terminal. If that happens, then VOC Port will be the first in the country to have a women-driven container terminal,” Mr. Purohit added.