Kamarajar Port Ltd (KPL) has completed its capital dredging phase VI project, enabling the port to handle fully laden capesize vessels with an operational draft of 18 metres. The milestone makes Kamarajar Port the second major port in India, after Visakhapatnam Port, to offer an 18-metre draft, significantly enhancing its bulk cargo handling capabilities and strengthening its position in the country’s maritime infrastructure.
₹440 crore project enhances deep-water capabilities
The capital dredging phase VI project was executed with an investment of about ₹440 crore as part of the Government of India’s vision to make Kamarajar Port “cape compliant”. The project involved deepening the outer approach channel from 20 metres to 23 metres, the inner entrance channel from 19 metres to 22 metres, alongside berths to support an 18-metre operational draft, and dredging the harbour basin and associated navigational areas.
With the upgraded infrastructure, the port can now accommodate vessels carrying cargo parcels of up to 1,70,000 DWT, allowing it to handle fully laden capesize ships.
Sonowal highlights maritime transformation
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said India’s maritime sector is undergoing a historic transformation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi through Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
“The emergence of Kamarajar Port as the country’s second major port with an 18-metre draft is another milestone in this journey of creating modern, future-ready maritime infrastructure that will power India’s economic growth and global trade,” he said.
Sonowal said the successful completion of capital dredging phase VI has transformed Kamarajar Port into a deep-draft, cape compliant port capable of handling fully laden capesize vessels of up to 1,70,000 DWT.
He added that the development will improve cargo-handling efficiency, reduce logistics costs, enhance ease of doing business and strengthen the port’s role as a key gateway for India’s EXIM trade.
Boost for trade and global competitiveness
According to KPL, the enhanced draft capability will enable shipping lines to deploy larger vessels, lowering freight costs through economies of scale while improving operational efficiency and increasing cargo-handling capacity.
The development is also expected to strengthen the port’s competitiveness against domestic and international ports, provide significant economic benefits to regional trade and support the growing requirements of India’s EXIM trade.
With the achievement of cape compliant depth, Kamarajar Port joins the league of international deep-water ports capable of handling large bulk cargo vessels, further reinforcing India’s ambition to build world-class maritime infrastructure.