Kamarajar Port Limited (KPL) has become India’s second major port after Visakhapatnam to achieve an operational draft of 18 metres, enabling it to handle fully laden Capesize vessels carrying cargo of up to 1,70,000 deadweight tonnage (DWT) and significantly boosting the country’s maritime competitiveness.
The milestone follows the successful completion of the Capital Dredging Phase VI project, undertaken at an investment of approximately ₹440 crore, making Kamarajar Port a deep-water, Cape Compliant port capable of accommodating some of the world’s largest bulk cargo vessels.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said the achievement marks another significant step in India’s efforts to build world-class maritime infrastructure under the Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
“Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s maritime sector is undergoing a historic transformation. Guided by the vision of Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, we are building world-class ports, strengthening logistics, enhancing global competitiveness and positioning India as a leading maritime nation. 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,” Sonowal said.
The dredging project involved deepening the outer approach channel from 20 metres to 23 metres, the inner entrance channel from 19 metres to 22 metres, as well as increasing the draft alongside berths to 18 metres. The harbour basin and associated navigational areas were also upgraded to facilitate the movement of larger vessels.
Describing the project as strategically important, Sonowal said the enhanced infrastructure would improve cargo-handling efficiency, reduce logistics costs and strengthen India’s external trade.
“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. This achievement will significantly 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. I congratulate the entire team of Kamarajar Port Limited for delivering this strategically important project, which further reinforces India’s march towards becoming a global maritime powerhouse,” he said.
According to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the increased draft capability will enable shipping lines to deploy larger vessels, resulting in lower freight costs through economies of scale, higher operational efficiency and greater cargo-handling capacity.
The development is also expected to provide substantial economic benefits to regional trade, enhance Kamarajar Port’s competitiveness against domestic and international ports, and support the growing requirements of India’s export-import (EXIM) trade.
With its Cape Compliant depth, Kamarajar Port now joins the league of leading international ports capable of handling large bulk cargo vessels, further strengthening India’s position as an emerging global maritime hub.
