Kamarajar Port becomes India's second major port with 18-metre draft
Kamarajar Port became India's second Major Port after Visakhapatnam to offer an 18-metre draft, after completing Capital Dredging Phase VI at about ₹440 crore (announced 7 July 2026).
Summary
Kamarajar Port Limited completed its Capital Dredging Phase VI project, the Ports Ministry announced on 7 July 2026, giving it an operational draft of 18 metres. Kamarajar is now the second Major Port in India, after Visakhapatnam Port, with an 18-metre draft, and can handle fully laden Capesize vessels with cargo parcels of up to 1,70,000 DWT. The roughly ₹440 crore project deepened the outer approach channel from 20 m to 23 m and the inner entrance channel from 19 m to 22 m, making the port 'Cape Compliant'. Kamarajar Port, about 24 km north of Chennai in Tamil Nadu, is India's first corporatised Major Port.
Key facts
- Draft
- 18.0 metres
- Rank
- Second Major Port with 18 m draft, after Visakhapatnam
- Vessels
- Fully laden Capesize, up to 1,70,000 DWT
- Project
- Capital Dredging Phase VI, about ₹440 crore
- Channels
- Outer approach 20→23 m; inner entrance 19→22 m
- Minister
- Sarbananda Sonowal
- Port (static)
- About 24 km north of Chennai, Tamil Nadu; first corporatised Major Port
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Kamarajar Port became India's second Major Port with an 18-metre draft in July 2026. Which was the first?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Visakhapatnam Port
PIB says Kamarajar is the second Major Port, after Visakhapatnam Port, to offer an 18-metre draft.
After Capital Dredging Phase VI, Kamarajar Port can handle Capesize vessels carrying cargo parcels of up to how much?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 1,70,000 DWT
The port can now accommodate fully laden Capesize vessels with cargo parcels of up to 1,70,000 DWT.
Which is India's first corporatised Major Port, registered as a company?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Kamarajar Port
Kamarajar Port Limited's official site describes it as the first corporatised Major Port in the country; it was incorporated as Ennore Port Limited in October 1999.