V.O. Chidambaranar Port, the major port at Thoothukudi, handled 41.72 million tonnes of cargo in 2024-25, with 31.91 million tonnes of imports, 9.69 million tonnes of exports and 795,222 TEUs of containers. It has three container terminals, the newest of them, the Tuticorin International Container Terminal, with a 14.2 m draft. The port's own plans for further growth include a new bulk berth and an offshore wind terminal. Terminal, tug and port-service teams here are among those who may be asked for first aid, fire and survival certificates as the port diversifies.
The city also has an institution unusual in southern India: the Tamil Nadu Maritime Academy, set up by the state government in 1998 and located beside the sea in Thoothukudi. Seafarers from the academy and the district may consider offshore support vessels as one option alongside ship berths. Basic safety training that the Directorate General of Shipping requires of seafarers is a separate course from OPITO offshore training, and many people end up needing both.
The sea off Thoothukudi is the Gulf of Mannar. Tamil Nadu's marine fisheries are a large livelihood, with more than 5,400 registered mechanised boats across the state in 2024 and an annual 61-day fishing ban on the east coast, and the Thoothukudi fishing harbour houses a mechanised fleet. Skippers, engineers and deck crew from fishing boats have skills that transfer to offshore supply and standby vessels, and the ban period is a natural time to take a three-day course away from the boats.
Oil and gas work close to home is limited. The Cauvery basin, whose onshore part runs from Puducherry down to Ramnad, is the nearest producing region, and ONGC has planned to develop Ramnad among other gas fields there. Most of the Cauvery output is onshore, so the offshore demand for Thoothukudi candidates comes mainly from Mumbai and the KG basin, and from vessel operators who recruit along the Tamil Nadu coast.
41.72 million tonnes in 2024-25 and 795,222 TEUs; three container terminals and plans for an offshore wind terminal.
Established by the state government in 1998 beside the sea at Thoothukudi, with a hostel built to resemble ship accommodation.
Base for a mechanised fishing fleet working the Gulf of Mannar; Tamil Nadu had 5,417 registered mechanised boats in 2024.
Gas and oil basin running from Puducherry to Ramnad, produced largely onshore; planned developments included Ramnad.
New terminal opened in July 2025; served by IndiGo with flights to Chennai and Bengaluru.
OPITO code: 5501
Duration: 3 Days
Fee: ₹35,000
The course most searched for from Thoothukudi. T-BOSIET is OPITO's tropical version, suited to warm Indian waters, and is the usual first step for seafarers and former fishing crew heading to offshore support vessels.
View course →Duration: Half Day
Fee: ₹10,000
The second most searched course from the city. A half-day course for port staff, supervisors and vessel crew, easy to add to the same trip.
View course →OPITO code: 5700
Duration: 3 Days
Fee: ₹35,000
The standard version of the survival course, for seafarers who may sail on international contracts or in cold water. Ask your manning agent which one is wanted.
View course →Duration: Half Day
Fee: ₹10,000
Half-day non-OPITO course that suits port, terminal and ship staff who need practical fire training alongside survival.
View course →OPITO code: 5507
Duration: 1 Day (online + practical)
Fee: ₹35,000
Online theory then a single practical day, for people who do not want to spend three days away from a vessel or a family business.
View course →Training here is bought by port terminal operators, stevedoring and marine service companies, ship managers and manning agencies who recruit along the Tamil Nadu coast, and contractors serving the district's industry. Because many staff rotate between port and sea roles, certificates are tracked by renewal date more than by site.
| Course | Requirement note |
|---|---|
| Tropical Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (T-BOSIET) | Operators of warm-water Indian offshore assets commonly ask crew for the tropical certificate; vessel managers recruiting on the Tamil Nadu coast may do the same. The client contract decides. |
| Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training with EBS (BOSIET with EBS) | Standard BOSIET may be required for crew who could be deployed to international or cold-water operations. |
| Basic First Aid Training | Often asked of nominated first-aiders on terminals and vessels; requirements vary by operator. |
| Basic Fire Fighting Training | A practical fire course for port and ship staff; confirm whether the contract asks for an approved certificate. |
Operators and clients set their own requirements; confirm with your contract or HSE department.
The overnight train is the simplest option from here. Thoothukudi Airport has IndiGo flights to Chennai and Bengaluru, but not to Kochi, so flying means a change. Tirunelveli is the nearest large rail junction, about 66 km by rail from Thoothukudi.
Starts at Thoothukudi and leaves at 21:40, calls at Tirunelveli (22:50), Tenkasi, Punalur, Kollam, Kottayam and Ernakulam Town, and arrives at Ernakulam Town at 08:32. The journey is about 11 hours. It runs daily, but check the current timetable on the railway enquiry site.
Candidates from Tirunelveli can join the Palaruvi at 22:50 and reach Ernakulam Town about nine and a half hours later. Rail distance from Tirunelveli to Ernakulam is about 350 km.
Thoothukudi Airport (TCR) is about 15 km west of the city and is served by IndiGo to Chennai and Bengaluru. From Chennai there is a direct IndiGo flight to Cochin (COK) of about 1 hour 15 minutes. Check connection times for the day you travel.
The road distance from Ernakulam to Tiruchendur, in the same district, is about 321 km, so Thoothukudi to Njarakkal is roughly 330 km depending on route. A group sharing a vehicle can do it in a day.
A manning agent or vessel manager will say whether the role needs T-BOSIET or BOSIET. If you are switching from fishing or coastal shipping and have no offer yet, ask our team which is more commonly asked for in the roles you are applying for.
Basic safety training required by the Directorate General of Shipping, your discharge book or CDC and your medical are separate from the OPITO course. Our team can only advise on the OPITO side.
The Palaruvi leaves Thoothukudi at 21:40 and reaches Ernakulam Town at 08:32. Book the day before the course so you are rested; our team can suggest places to stay near the campus.
T-BOSIET and BOSIET each take three days. T-BOSIET Digital Delivery covers the theory online and then needs one practical day at the campus.
Bring swimwear, a towel, comfortable clothing and a valid photo ID. If you wear spectacles, bring a retaining strap, and declare any medication.
OPITO certificates are valid for four years. Keep a scan with your other documents and share a copy with the agent who is handling your placement.
