Kamarajar Port Issues ₹4,288-Crore Tender for Second Container Terminal Under PPP Model

Kamarajar Port Limited (KPL) has issued a tender to develop its second container terminal under the public-private partnership (PPP) model. The project carries an estimated cost of ₹4,288 crore. The port's first container terminal is currently operated by Adani Ennore Container Terminal Pvt. Ltd. (AECTPL) under the DBFOT model.

According to the project feasibility report, the development is planned in light of increasing future demand for container handling facilities and aligns with the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV) 2047. The second container terminal will be built to handle vessels up to 24,000 TEUs with a maximum length overall (LOA) of 400 metres.

The terminal will be executed on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) basis with a concession period of 40 years. The initiative aims to support growing export-import (EXIM) and transhipment demand while strengthening Kamarajar Port’s standing as a container-handling hub.

The facility is designed for a total capacity of 2 million TEUs per annum and will be constructed in two phases. Phase I is estimated at ₹2,429 crore and will provide 1.1 million TEUs of capacity. Phase II will add 0.9 million TEUs at an estimated cost of ₹1,858.94 crore.

The construction scope involves a 900-metre continuous quay, split into 500 metres in Phase I and 400 metres in Phase II. The infrastructure will accommodate Ultra Large Container Carriers of up to 24,346 TEUs. The selected concessionaire will handle design, engineering, financing, procurement, construction, operation, and maintenance. This includes pile berths, container stack yards, internal roads, administrative buildings, a customs gate complex, and utility infrastructure.

Located about 24 km north of Chennai Port, Kamarajar Port currently features a cargo handling capacity of 58.44 million tonnes across nine operational berths. The port handled 49.08 million tonnes during FY2025-26. It has road connectivity to major highways including NH16, NH32, and NH48, along with rail connectivity via Attipattu and Attipattu Pudunagar stations on the Chennai–Gudur section of Southern Railway.

Project land will be provided on an as-is-where-is basis. At the conclusion of the 40-year concession period, the developed terminal and its associated assets will be transferred back to Kamarajar Port.

Kamarajar Port operates nine berths handling a diverse range of cargo through a combination of captive, BOT, DBFOT, and port-operated terminals. These include two captive coal berths for TANGEDCO, a common user coal terminal operated by Ennore Coal Terminal Pvt. Ltd., and a Marine Liquid Terminal operated by Ennore Tank Terminal Pvt. Ltd. The port also owns two General Cargo Berths catering to major manufacturers like Renault-Nissan and Toyota, a Multi Cargo Terminal operated by Ennore Bulk Terminal Pvt. Ltd., and a captive LNG terminal operated by Indian Oil LNG Pvt. Ltd.

The tender is part of Kamarajar Port Limited’s Master Plan for 2047 to encourage greater competition and prepare for future volume demands.

"Large-scale infrastructure projects executed via the public-private partnership model play a critical role in expanding national trade capacity. The ₹4,288-crore tender by Kamarajar Port Limited reflects a structured approach to meeting long-term EXIM demand and upgrading maritime logistics in alignment with India's 2047 vision. By inviting private sector participation through a 40-year DBFOT framework, the port is effectively distributing capital expenditure while building specialized capacity for ultra-large container vessels." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes