Kamarajar Port Celebrates 25 Years with Aim to Become India’s Premier Mega Port

Kamarajar Port (KPL), located about 24 km north of Chennai, has achieved 25 years since its inception as Ennore Port in October 1999. Over the past quarter-century, the port has expanded its cargo handling capacity to approximately 57.5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) and aims to further increase this capacity to 254.5 MTPA by 2047. The Chairman of KPL, Mr. Sunil Paliwal, outlines the port’s plans to become a mega port through various infrastructure projects, including the development of a southern port access road, expansion of rail connectivity, and construction of additional terminals like the automobile export/import terminal-II.

KPL predominantly serves as an energy port, with petroleum oil, lubricants, LPG, LNG, and coal constituting 65%-70% of its cargo. Container cargo accounts for 25%, while the remainder includes bulk commodities like gypsum, barytes, limestone, and automobiles. The port has also ventured into handling ‘Project Cargo,’ which involves assembling oversized components in a dedicated space. With the growing demand for containerised cargo in India, KPL anticipates an increase in container volumes. By aligning with Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, KPL aims to boost its cargo handling capacity to 254.5 MTPA by 2047, transforming into a mega port and the primary eastern gateway port of India.

In recent years, KPL has witnessed a rise in container cargo volumes, with 2023-2024 seeing the handling of 6,71,000 TEUs as compared to 5,50,151 TEUs in the previous year. By enhancing its infrastructure and operational efficiency, the port is poised for further growth in container cargo. With nine operational terminals currently in place, KPL plans to expand its berth capacity to 27 by 2047 to accommodate energy cargo, container cargo, and other bulk cargo, ultimately cementing its position as a leading mega port in India’s eastern region.

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