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• Kamarajar Port in Tamil Nadu has become India's second major port to achieve an 18-metre navigational draft following a capital dredging project worth approximately INR 440 crore.
• The enhanced draft enables the port to handle larger Capesize and fully loaded bulk carriers, strengthening its cargo-handling capability and improving operational efficiency.
• The development is expected to reduce logistics costs, minimise vessel waiting time and reinforce the port's role in supporting India's growing maritime trade.
• Officials said the upgrade aligns with the government's broader objective of enhancing port infrastructure and boosting India's global shipping competitiveness.
India has added another milestone to its maritime infrastructure with Kamarajar Port achieving an 18-metre navigational draft, placing it among the country's deepest major ports. The upgrade significantly expands the port's ability to accommodate larger cargo vessels, reducing dependence on lighterage operations and improving turnaround efficiency. As global shipping increasingly relies on larger ships to optimise freight costs, the enhanced draft is expected to strengthen Kamarajar Port's position as a key gateway for international trade.
Kamarajar Port, located near Chennai on the east coast, has completed a capital dredging project that has increased its navigational draft to 18 metres. The project, executed at a cost of around INR 440 crore, makes it only the second major port in India to offer this depth, allowing it to receive larger deep-draft vessels carrying higher cargo volumes. The development marks a significant expansion of the port's operational capacity and maritime infrastructure.
An 18-metre draft enables the port to handle fully loaded Capesize vessels and other large bulk carriers that were previously unable to berth at many Indian ports without cargo restrictions. The increased depth is expected to improve cargo movement across key commodities such as coal, iron ore, limestone and other dry bulk cargo while enhancing the port's attractiveness for international shipping lines.
The deeper channel is also expected to improve operational efficiency by reducing the need for partial unloading or lighterage before vessels enter the harbour. This can shorten turnaround times, lower logistics costs for exporters and importers, and improve the overall competitiveness of India's maritime supply chain.
Officials have described the project as an important step towards strengthening India's port infrastructure in line with growing cargo demand and the government's long-term maritime development strategy. With global shipping moving towards larger vessels for greater economies of scale, ports capable of handling deep-draft ships are becoming increasingly important for international trade.
Kamarajar Port has steadily expanded beyond its traditional role as a bulk cargo terminal to emerge as a diversified port handling automobiles, containers, liquid cargo and project cargo. The latest upgrade is expected to further enhance its ability to serve industrial clusters across Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states while supporting the country's expanding manufacturing and export sectors.
The project also complements national initiatives aimed at modernising port infrastructure through improved connectivity, capacity expansion and operational efficiency. Enhanced maritime infrastructure is expected to play a key role in reducing logistics costs and strengthening India's position in global supply chains.
With the completion of the dredging works, Kamarajar Port is expected to attract a wider range of international vessels and higher cargo volumes in the coming years. The achievement reinforces its strategic importance on India's eastern seaboard and highlights the growing emphasis on developing world-class port infrastructure to support long-term economic growth.
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