Chennai Port Authority and Kamarajar Port Limited (KPL) achieved an unprecedented milestone for the 2025-26 financial year, registering a combined record cargo throughput of 107 million metric tonnes (MMT). Chennai Port Authority Chairman Shri S. Viswanathan and Kamarajar Port Limited Chairperson and Managing Director Smt. Irene Cynthia addressed the media regarding this achievement in Chennai on 22 May 2026.

 

They informed that the Chennai Port individually managed 57.90 MMT, achieving massive growth across its '4C' categories, including an all-time high container traffic of 1.9 MMT and 204,165 automobile units. Parallelly, KPL handled 49.08 MMT, led robustly by 25.72 MMT of coal and an 18.86% surge in automobile handling to 191,825 units. This phenomenal growth was heavily supported by operational excellence, with Kamarajar Port completing Capital Dredging Phase VI at Rs. 440 crore to become 'Cape Compliant' with an 18-meter draft. Vessel turnaround times also saw stark structural upgrades under the 'One Nation One Port' process, slashing logistics delays and documentation complexities across the EXIM trade ecosystem.

Financially, combined operating incomes soared past Rs. 2,400 crores. Chennai Port scored a historical operating income of Rs. 1,185.01 crore along with its best operating ratio in two decades (55.14%), while KPL generated an outstanding Profit After Tax of Rs. 596.03 crore and an operating ratio of 25.48%. Demonstrating high commitment to future-readiness, the entities deployed a combined capital expenditure of Rs. 992 crores. Alongside modernization, both ports championed sustainability and social responsibility. Key eco-initiatives included multi-megawatt shore-to-ship power infrastructure, STQC GIGW 3.0 website-quality certification for Chennai Port and massive CSR allocations totaling over Rs. 19 crores toward advanced healthcare, education and drinking water facilities. Looking forward, the ports are scaling infrastructure via mega-projects like the Rs. 1,424-crore Multi-Modal Logistics Park at Mappedu and new DBFOT terminals to drive long-term maritime resilience.

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