Kamarajar Port handles 49 MT cargo in 2025-26, ministry reviews performance
Synopsis
Kamarajar Port at Ennore moved 49.08 million tonnes of cargo in 2025-26 and completed a ₹440 crore dredging project that unlocks Cape-size vessel calls — a genuine infrastructure leap for India's east coast shipping. The port now handles nearly a quarter of all container traffic at major Indian ports alongside Chennai.
Key Takeaways
Kamarajar Port Ltd (KPL) handled 49.08 million tonnes of cargo in 2025-26 , with coal at 25.72 million tonnes .
The port processed 700,639 TEU containers; together with Chennai Port Authority , the two account for nearly 24% of India's major-port container throughput.
Vehicle handling rose 18.86% year-on-year to 191,825 units .
A ₹440 crore fourth-phase capital dredging project achieved an 18-metre draft , enabling Cape-size vessel calls for the first time.
The MoPSW is deploying eight digital platforms — including e-Samudra , Sagar Setu , MSW , and DRISHTI — to modernise maritime governance.
Kamarajar Port Ltd (KPL), located at Ennore near Chennai, took centre stage at the weekly review meeting of all major ports chaired by Vijay Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), on 16 October 2026. The port recorded total cargo handling of 49.08 million tonnes in 2025-26, with coal accounting for the largest share at 25.72 million tonnes.
Key Performance Highlights
KPL handled 700,639 TEU containers during the year, and together with the Chennai Port Authority, the two ports collectively accounted for nearly 24% of total container throughput across all major ports in India. The port also processed 1,008 vessels during the fiscal year, underscoring its role as a critical node in India's east coast logistics network.
Vehicle handling at Ennore posted a notable uptick, with 191,825 vehicles processed — an increase of 18.86% over the previous fiscal year. This growth reflects rising automobile export activity routed through the port.
Major Infrastructure Milestone: Cape-Size Capability
In a significant infrastructure upgrade, KPL completed the fourth phase of capital dredging at a cost of ₹440 crore, achieving a draft of 18 metres. This development makes the port capable of handling Cape-size vessels — among the largest bulk carriers in global shipping — a capability that can attract high-volume international cargo and reduce transshipment costs.
This comes amid a broader government push to expand port capacity along India's coastline, and positions Kamarajar as a more competitive player in the Bay of Bengal shipping corridor.
What the Ministry Reviewed
The weekly review meeting covered key performance indicators, financial performance, expansion plans, ongoing projects, human resource matters, IT initiatives, and operational and administrative issues. 'The meeting reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to enhancing port efficiency, strengthening infrastructure and driving sustained growth in India's maritime sector,' the MoPSW said in a statement.
Digital Initiatives Driving Maritime Modernisation
The ministry also highlighted a suite of digital platforms being deployed to modernise maritime governance. These include e-Samudra — a unified platform for maritime regulatory and seafarer services, ship registration and certifications — and Sagar Setu (National Logistics Portal–Marine), which facilitates seamless EXIM logistics processes.
Other initiatives include the Maritime Single Window (MSW) for simplified ship clearance, the Maritime Digital Centre of Excellence (MDCoE) for emerging-technology adoption, the Sagarmanthan Portal for digital monitoring of key performance indicators, and e-NAVIK, a round-the-clock digital grievance redressal mechanism for seafarers.
The Port Community System (PCS 1x) connects maritime stakeholders through electronic data exchange, while the DRISHTI Framework enables data-driven governance by digitally tracking performance indicators and maritime development milestones. 'Together, these initiatives are advancing a digitally empowered maritime sector, aligned with India's vision of efficient, transparent and globally competitive maritime infrastructure,' the ministry stated.
What's Next
With Cape-size vessel handling now unlocked and digital infrastructure expanding, KPL is positioned to grow its share of India's bulk and container trade. The ministry's continued weekly oversight signals a sustained focus on operational accountability across the country's major port network.
Point of View
But fragmentation across eight separate platforms risks creating an interoperability problem rather than solving one. The real test of this weekly review culture is whether KPL's vehicle-handling surge — up nearly 19% — translates into a long-term RoRo hub strategy, or remains an incidental uptick.
NationPress
17 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much cargo did Kamarajar Port handle in 2025-26?
Kamarajar Port Ltd handled 49.08 million tonnes of cargo in 2025-26, with coal comprising the largest share at 25.72 million tonnes. The port also processed 700,639 TEU containers and 1,008 vessels during the year.
What is the significance of the ₹440 crore dredging project at Kamarajar Port?
The fourth phase of capital dredging, completed at a cost of ₹440 crore, achieved an 18-metre draft at the port. This makes Kamarajar Port capable of accommodating Cape-size vessels — among the largest bulk carriers in global shipping — potentially attracting higher-volume international cargo.
What share of India's container traffic does Kamarajar Port handle?
Kamarajar Port, together with the Chennai Port Authority, accounted for nearly 24% of total container handling across all major ports in India in 2025-26. KPL alone processed 700,639 TEU containers during the year.
What digital platforms is the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways deploying?
The MoPSW is rolling out eight key platforms: e-Samudra for seafarer and regulatory services, Sagar Setu for EXIM logistics, Maritime Single Window (MSW) for ship clearance, MDCoE for emerging-tech adoption, Sagarmanthan for performance monitoring, e-NAVIK for seafarer grievances, PCS 1x for stakeholder data exchange, and the DRISHTI Framework for data-driven governance.
Why did vehicle handling at Kamarajar Port increase in 2025-26?
The port handled 191,825 vehicles in 2025-26, an increase of 18.86% over the previous fiscal year. The ministry attributed this to rising automobile export activity routed through the Ennore facility, though no specific cause was formally stated.
