**Executive Summary**
Kamarajar Port Limited has completed its ₹440 crore Capital Dredging Phase VI project, establishing it as India's second Major Port with an 18-metre draft capability. Announced on July 7, 2026, this upgrade makes the port "Cape Compliant," allowing it to handle fully laden Capesize vessels up to 1,70,000 DWT. The project aligns with Maritime India Vision 2030 to reduce logistical costs and enhance the nation's global maritime competitiveness.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Infrastructure Upgrades and Investment**
* Successful completion of Capital Dredging Phase VI with a total investment of approximately ₹440 crore.
* Deepening of the outer approach channel from 20.0 metres to 23.0 metres.
* Deepening of the inner entrance channel from 19.0 metres to 22.0 metres.
* Deepening of alongside berths, the harbour basin, and navigational areas to support an 18-metre operational draft.
**Enhanced Port Capabilities**
* Attainment of "Cape Compliant" status, enabling the handling of fully laden Capesize vessels.
* Increased cargo-handling capacity for parcels up to 1,70,000 DWT.
* Kamarajar Port is now one of only two Major Ports in India (alongside Visakhapatnam) offering an 18-metre draft.
**Strategic Economic Objectives**
* Lowering of logistical costs and improvement of overall cargo-handling efficiency.
* Support for India’s EXIM (Export-Import) trade by acting as a key maritime gateway.
* Alignment with national strategic frameworks, including Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
* Strengthening of the port’s competitiveness against both domestic and international ports in bulk cargo handling.
**Impact Analysis**
**Shipping Lines**
**Impact**
Shipping lines can now deploy significantly larger vessels at Kamarajar Port. This allows for economies of scale, resulting in lower freight costs and improved operational efficiency.
**Action Required**
Lines should update their vessel deployment schedules and logistics planning to utilize larger Capesize vessels for regional trade routes.
**EXIM Trade and Regional Businesses**
**Impact**
The trade sector will benefit from reduced logistics expenses, enhanced ease of doing business, and more efficient cargo processing.
**Action Required**
Businesses should leverage the port's expanded capacity and depth to optimize their bulk cargo supply chains and international trade operations.
**Kamarajar Port Limited (KPL)**
**Impact**
KPL is now positioned in the league of international ports for bulk cargo handling, reinforcing its role as a strategic infrastructure asset for India’s economic growth.
**Action Required**
The port administration must manage the increased navigational requirements and vessel traffic associated with the new 18-metre draft capabilities.
Key Entities Referenced
Kamarajar Port Limited (KPL): India's second major port to achieve an 18-metre draft capability, allowing it to handle fully laden Capesize vessels and boost maritime competitiveness.
Capital Dredging Phase VI: An infrastructure project involving a ₹440 crore investment to deepen the port's channels and berths to accommodate larger cargo parcels.
Maritime India Vision 2030: A strategic policy document guiding the transformation and modernization of India's maritime sector and port infrastructure.
Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047: A long-term government roadmap aimed at positioning India as a leading global maritime nation by the year 2047.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The primary central ministry responsible for overseeing maritime infrastructure development and the completion of port modernization projects.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Kamarajar Port Becomes India's Second Major
Port with 18-Metre Draft Capability, Boosting
India’s Maritime Competitiveness
Capital Dredging Phase VI completed with an investment of
₹440 crore, Set to Lower Logistical Cost & Efficiency
Port can now handle fully laden Capesize vessels carrying
cargo parcels of up to 1,70,000 DWT
Posted On: 07 JUL 2026 8:25PM by PIB Delhi
Kamarajar Port Limited (KPL) has emerged as a deep-water port capable of handling Capesize vessels,
with the successful completion of its Capital Dredging Phase VI project. With an operational draft of 18.0
metres, the Port can now accommodate vessels carrying cargo parcels of up to 1,70,000 DWT. With this
achievement, Kamarajar Port becomes the second Major Port of the country, after Visakhapatnam
Port, to offer a draft of 18 metres.
"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,” said
Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways.
The project, taken up in line with the vision of the Government of India to make Kamarajar Port ‘Cape
Compliant’, involved deepening of the outer approach channel from 20.0 m to 23.0 m, the inner entrance
channel from 19.0 m to 22.0 m, alongside berths to handle 18m draft and the harbour basin along with
associated navigational areas, at an investment of about ₹440 crore.
"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,” added Sonowal.
The enhanced draft capability will enable shipping lines to deploy larger vessels, resulting in lower freight
costs through economies of scale, improved operational efficiency and increased cargo-handling capacity.
It will provide significant economic benefits to the trade of the region, strengthen the Port'scompetitiveness vis-à-vis domestic and international ports, and support the growing requirements of
India's EXIM trade. The Cape Compliant depth places Kamarajar Port in the league of international ports
in bulk cargo handling.
***
MI/Indu
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