Kamarajar Port in Tamil Nadu has achieved an 18-metre draft, marking a significant milestone in strengthening India’s maritime infrastructure. The deeper draft enables the port to accommodate larger vessels, increasing its cargo handling capacity and improving its competitiveness in global shipping.

The upgraded draft is expected to enhance operational efficiency by allowing fully loaded ships to berth at the port, reducing logistics costs and improving turnaround times. The development supports India’s efforts to modernise its port infrastructure and meet the growing demand for bulk cargo and container traffic.

Industry experts believe the achievement will benefit sectors such as steel, coal, automobiles, and heavy engineering, which rely on efficient port operations for imports and exports. The enhanced capacity is also expected to create new opportunities for advanced cargo-handling equipment, cranes, and port logistics, thereby sharpening the benefits as India’s maritime trade continues to expand.