This also comes months after the Kamarajar Port invited Expressions of Interest (EoIs) for the development of two bulk cargo berths under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

This also comes months after the Kamarajar Port invited Expressions of Interest (EoIs) for the development of two bulk cargo berths under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

This also comes months after the Kamarajar Port invited Expressions of Interest (EoIs) for the development of two bulk cargo berths under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

The Kamarajar Port in Tamil Nadu is all set for the construction of a second container terminal in 2027, months after it invited participation from experienced terminal developers in December 2025.

The major contenders for the bid include five top Indian and global players, who have expressed interest in the approximately Rs 4,300 crore port project.

“The project bid has been sent to receive the approval of the Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPPAC) of the Union government," a Hindu report said, citing a source in the know.

Once approved by the PPPAC, which is likely to happen in July, the tender will be floated in August.

By that timeline, the contract for the second terminal would be formally awarded in February 2027, with construction on the terminal set to begin at around August that year.

The first berth of the second container terminal would then be able to enter operations in 2029—two years ahead of the second berth.

Understanding the infra push at Kamarajar

Recent data from the Chennai Port Authority (CPA) shows that the 25-year-old port now has a cargo handling capacity of 58.44 million metric tonnes (MMT) with nine operational berths.

This comes after the Ennore-based port registered its highest-ever cargo throughput of 48.41 MMT in FY 2024-25.

At present, the port's only common-use container terminal can only handle one mothership, but the development of two berths in the second terminal will enable it to handle two—and then four—such vessels at a time.

This is expected to help decongest the port, improve cargo turnaround times, and boost cargo handling.

The port has also seen a boost in a number of dry bulk cargo commodities handled, such as coal, limestone, gypsum, and barytes.

This led to the port inviting Expressions of Interest (EoIs) for the development of two bulk cargo berths under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode, in April 2026.

Each of the two berths will measure 425m in length and 30m in width.

Together, they will form a bulk terminal facility designed to accommodate capesize bulk carriers with a capacity of up to 1,80,000 deadweight tonnage (dwt).

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