Kamarajar Port becomes India's 2nd major port with 18-metre draft capability

Business To Business, New Delhi, 07^th July, 2026:    Kamarajar Port has become the second major port in India to achieve an operational draft of 18 metres, enabling it to handle large Capesize vessels and significantly enhancing its cargo-handling capabilities, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday.
The milestone follows the successful completion of the Capital Dredging Phase VI project by Kamarajar Port Limited (KPL), which has transformed the facility into a deep-water port capable of accommodating some of the world's largest bulk cargo vessels.
With an operational draft of 18 metres, Kamarajar Port can now receive vessels carrying cargo loads of up to 1,70,000 deadweight tonnes (DWT), improving operational efficiency and expanding its capacity to handle higher volumes of international trade.
According to the statement, Kamarajar Port has become only the second major port in the country, after Visakhapatnam Port, to offer an 18-metre draft.
The enhanced draft is expected to strengthen the port's competitiveness by enabling direct berthing of larger vessels, reducing logistics costs and improving turnaround times for importers and exporters. It is also likely to boost the movement of key commodities such as coal, iron ore and other bulk cargo.
The development marks a significant step in strengthening India's maritime infrastructure and aligns with the government's efforts to modernise ports, improve trade efficiency and enhance the country's position as a global maritime and logistics hub.