Kamarajar Port will accommodate larger capesize vessels

Kamarajar Port Limited (KPL) plans to start a major project to accommodate larger ships known as capesize vessels. This project, called the Capital Dredging Phase VI Project, will begin next month. The dredging will deepen the port's draft from 16 meters to 18 meters. Capesize vessels are large ships that can carry around 170,000 tonnes of cargo and need at least 18 meters of water to operate effectively. Currently, KPL can only manage smaller vessels, known as baby capes, which can hold approximately 120,000 tonnes. KPL officials mentioned that this upgrade is crucial for the port's future, especially since they handle a variety of goods, not just coal. The dredging work will involve bringing in two dredging units and will take about a year and a half to finish. In addition to deepening the draft, the project will include capital dredging of the harbor basin and extensions to the approach channels. Kamarajar Port, established nearly 25 years ago, currently has a capacity of 57.5 million tonnes. By 2047, the port aims to increase this capacity to 254.5 million tonnes, along with expanding the number of operational berths from nine to 27.