Kamarajar Port Limited
Indian Ports handle almost 95% of trade volumes, so rising trade has contributed significantly to the cargo traffic. Merchandise exports reached US$ 441.75 billion during FY26 and US$ 437.70 billion in FY25.
Kamarajar Port Limited (Erstwhile & Ennore Port Limited) is one of the 12 major ports of India and is situated in the state of Tamil Nadu. Different from the other ports which are run as trusts, it is incorporated as a company. The company currently has a total cargo handling capacity of 58.44 MMTPA.
- 12th major port of India and the only corporatized major port
- One of the fastest-growing seaports in India
- Situated on the east coast of India
- Current capacity of 58.44 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA).
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2026 |
In January 2026, the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal rolled out port infrastructure and digital governance projects worth Rs. 235 crore (US$ 26.59 million) at Chennai Port Authority and Kamarajar Port Limited, marking a major step to strengthen Tamil Nadu’s maritime capacity & advance India’s maritime-led growth agenda. |
| 2025 |
Kamarajar Port is upgrading its draft from 14 metres to 18 metres under government initiatives to accommodate Panamax and cape-size vessels, enhance domestic transshipment capabilities, and reduce reliance on foreign hubs, as part of India’s strategy to become a regional transshipment powerhouse. Toyota Kirloskar Motor extended its export pact with Kamarajar Port until March 2035, supporting continued Ro-Ro vehicle shipments to over 20 countries. |
| 2024 |
In November 2024, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated Rs. 187.33 crore (US$ 22.19 million) infrastructure projects at Chennai and Kamarajar Ports to boost trade and green initiatives. |
| 2023 - 2020 |
In April 2023, Chennai, Kamarajar Ports eye 100 million MT cargo in FY24, says Sunil Paliwal, Chairperson, Chennai Port Authority (CPA) & CMD of Kamarajar Port Ltd (KPL) Citroen India to commence vehicle export from Kamarajar Port to ASEAN. African markets from this month. On November 11, 2020, Kamarajar Port Limited (KPL) in Ennore handled the largest-ever container vessel, MSC Faith, with 14,336 TEU capacity In March 2020, the government completed the strategic sale of 74.49% stake for Rs. 2,383 crore (US$ 323.73 million) of Kamarajar Port Ltd. to Chennai Port Trust. |
| 2018 - 2017 |
The expansion plan for the port was approved by the Government of India Handled 34.45 MMT of cargo |
| 2014 |
Renamed Kamarajar Port |
| 2002 - 2001 |
Full-fledged operations started Commercial operations started with Handymax geared vessels |
| 1999 |
Incorporated as Ennore Port Limited |
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