Kamarajar port to become ‘Cape’ compliant

For the project, the KPL has issued a global tender to carry out capital dredging of the harbour basin to 20.5 m; deepening of the inner approach channel to 22 m; deepening the outer approach channel from existing levels to 23 m, and lengthening the approach channel to 23 m.

The dredging project is important for Kamarajar port as KPL has chalked out its future growth path, said Sunil Paliwal, Chairperson for both CPA and KPL…, the Capesize ships require 18 m draft and can carry 1.70 lakh tonnes of cargo, he said.

The all-weather Kamarajar port has nine operational berths, out of which three are for handling bulk coal; two for handling liquid cargo (POL, LPG & LNG); two for automobile export/import and associated capital goods and one each to handle container and multi-cargo. KPL has initiated action for development of an additional five berths/terminals: – two berths to handle coal and two berths to handle liquid cargo.

KPL has initiated action for development of two additional liquid terminals through captive and PPP mode to handle POL and LPG of a total 6 mt per annum. The captive berth is expected to be operational by December 2024, the document says.