Page 20 - ITLN March-April 2025

City Report
Chennai

Chennai

A strategic gateway

for South India’s

trade expansion

Known as the “Detroit of India,” Chennai has by three docks, Ambedkar Dock,
Jawahar Dock, and Bharathi Dock,
emerged as a key trade gateway, driven by its robust which cater to different cargo segments.
port infrastructure, expanding air cargo capacity, Major exports from the port include
and thriving automotive sector. engineering goods, agro products,
granite stone, textile garments, tires,
Parijat Sourabh and automobiles, with companies like
Hyundai, Nissan, and BMW using the
hennai, the capital of Gateway to Southeast Asia: port for their export operations.
Tamil Nadu, has evolved Chennai's port infrastructure Complementing Chennai Port
into one of India's most Chennai's identity as a logistics are Kamarajar Port (Ennore Port)
Csignificant logistics and powerhouse is anchored by its port and Kattupalli Port cum Shipyard.
manufacturing hubs. Strategically infrastructure. The Chennai Port, one of Kamarajar Port was developed
positioned on the southeastern coast India's oldest major ports dating back specifically to handle coal, LNG, and
of India, the city serves as a crucial to 1881, continues to be a cornerstone other bulk commodities, thus relieving
gateway to Southeast Asian markets of the city's maritime trade. pressure on the Chennai Port. The port
while maintaining strong connections to According to data from the Chennai has a current cargo handling capacity of
domestic industrial centres. Port Authority, the port handled 51.60 58 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).
From bustling ports handling million tonnes of cargo in 2023-24, up While Kattupalli Port, owned by Adani
massive cargo ships to state-of- from 48.95 million tonnes in 2022-23. Ports, currently handles 24.65 million
the-art automotive plants churning Container volume also increased to tonnes per annum (MTPA), it plans to
out vehicles for global markets, 1,589,540 TEUs from 1,470,305 TEUs expand its capacity to 320 MTPA.
Chennai's dynamic logistics landscape in 2022-23. These three ports collectively form
is reshaping trade in the region and The port's infrastructure includes a robust maritime infrastructure that
cementing its reputation as South specialised berths for containers, has positioned Chennai as the logistics
India's commercial powerhouse. automobiles, and bulk cargo, supported gateway for South India and beyond.

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