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

Women comprise 45% of the workforce at VOC Port’s Berth 9, pioneering change in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

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.