
Information about Chennai Port (Madras) In Detail
Chennai Port, also called Madras Port, ranks second on the list of the most significant ports in India in terms of size. It is located on the Southeast coast of India in the Bay of Bengal. In terms of age, it is the third oldest port in India, having started in the colonial era in 1881. Furthermore, it is an ISO 14001:2004 and ISPS-certified port, and it is now a central line port with direct connectivity to more than 50 ports around the world. Additionally, it is an artificial and all-purpose port with wet docks. Originally, it was a travel port, but it later became a hub for containerized imports and exports.
Since its establishment, the port has contributed profusely to the growth of not just Tamil Nadu, but also the entire South India. Today, it serves the Indian economy by facilitating global trade. This blog, in turn, decodes information about Chennai Port (Madras) in detail. Currently, the port serves as a centre for containers and car cargo and is located in eastern India. Initially, it handled a small volume of cargo, primarily for the import of motors and oil. However, in recent years, it has been extensively used to export ores, groundnuts, granite stone, and more. In fact, the container traffic surpassed 1 million twenty-foot equivalent units in 2011.
Geographical Location and Significance
People consider the port a gateway for the Coromandel Coast, situated along the South-Eastern Ghat of India. The deep water harbor moreover great accessibility to global sea routes make it a seaport. Therefore Its location makes it an ideal hub for trade, especially with the countries of the Middle East region, Europe and South East Asia.
Infrastructural facilities
When talking about some more information about Chennai port the infrastructure at Chennai Port (Madras) features the latest technologies necessary to ship an array of cargo. Therefore, it is said to be ideal for container shipments of all sizes. The port is equipped with the potential to handle multiple cargo containers simultaneously and successfully accomplish the shipment of more than 1 million cargo annually. Take a look at the amenities at the port, which was earlier a gateway to South India.
- Berths: Chennai Port has multiple berths, allowing numerous kinds of cargo to be handled likewise simultaneously. It has the capacity to handle almost all kinds likewise consignments, such as Liquid cargo, containers, and bulk cargo.
- Terminals:
The purpose of having different terminals is to ensure easy handling of all kinds of cargo carrying sensitive and fragile goods or liquids. moreover Chennai Port, Madras, has amenities for all types of terminals and a unique capacity to port all kinds of products.
- Container Terminal: Containerized cargo is handled at this terminal in Chennai port, which manages a significant portion of India’s containerized cargo. Moreover, these terminals use the latest technology, such as cranes, which ensures the easy transfer of goods from the mode of transport to the ship. For example, some of the terminal ports at Chennai Port include Citpl New Port, CCTL Old Port, Navayuga Container Terminal Pvt Ltd, Navayuga Container Yard, and Concor Inland Container Depot.
- Oil and gas terminals—Likewise these are specifically designed to handle sensitive liquid and gaseous containers, including receiving, storing, and distributing them. Examples are Bharathi Dock I, Bharathi Dock III, Dr Ambedkar dock, Jawaharlal Nehru terminal, and South Quay terminal.
- Bulk Cargo Terminal: Likewise this kind of terminal’s layout ensures the handling of goods in bulk or profound quantities of unpacked goods, for instance, grains, minerals, coal etc. It is a must for such terminals to have equipment for loading, storing and unloading. Therefore, this port also uses equipment like conveyor belts, machinery, and cranes to load and unload goods quickly. Additionally, the port has storage facilities as well Likewise to manage inventory. The Ennore container terminal and Kattupalli port are the two bulk cargo terminals on the Chennai Port.
- Capacity: The Port can easily handle almost lakhs of cargo yearly. Likewise the expansion project continues, moreover its capacity will likely increase further in the coming years.
Connectivity of Chennai Port (Madras)
According to detailed information about Chennai Port (Madras) in detail, it is well-linked with rail, road, airport, and everything in its vicinity. Consequently, importers and exporters can choose any mode of transportation for their items.
- The nearest airport to Chennai Port is Meenambakkam-based Chennai International Airport, the closest airport to Chennai Port. Tirusulam station is nearest to the Chennai airport.
- Nearest Railway Station—Chennai Beach and Chennai Central are the two nearest railway stations to Madras Port. Chennai Beach and Central Beach are near PSCT harbour.
- NH45 highway is well connected with the road and international airport, facilitating easy accessibility and transportation.
For more details about Chennai Port (Madras) and for shipping needs, feel free to contact us at +91-9311595648 or email us at cargodeal@falconfreight.com
Historical Background
Available information about Chennai Port in detail takes us back to 1639. It was then called Madras Port, the name of the city where It was located on the shore initially, but the storm around 1838 destroyed the port, and it remained inoperative for four years. The authorities rebuilt Chennai Port in 1881, and its operation began shortly thereafter. People consider 1881 as its foundation date because the reconstruction of the port happened that year, after the storm destroyed it. Moreover the port also played a significant role in British colonial rules, likewise as it was the centre of commercial activities then.
The contribution is also evident in World War II, as the port supported supplies of arms and ammunition for Allied forces. Likewise, Chennai Port initially served voyagers for travel, but it became a container port only after independence. The authorities shifted the entrance of the port from east to northeast to safeguard it from natural disasters. In 1996, Chennai was named Madras; consequently, the port also underwent a name change. Even today, Indians casually address it as Madras port. Likewise currently, Chennai holds second place on India’s list of largest seaports.
Chennai Port Major shipping Lines
Some more information about Chennai Port is one of India's most productive shipping ports, with numerous shipping lines however operating simultaneously. Hence due to connectivity worldwide, this port facilitates shipment from Chennai to almost all countries worldwide. Moreover some of the chief shipping lines that function from the Chennai port are underneath-
1. Maersk Line is one of the prominent large container shipping companies worldwide. It enables import and export from Chennai to Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and vice versa. The standard ports that the Maersk Line connects are Chennai port, Hamburg, Dubai, Singapore, Rotterdam, etc.
2. CMA CGM is a France-based shipping and container transportation company that has been serving various routes from Chennai to Europe, Africa, and Asia for years. It also offers reefer and garment-ready containers for shipping across the borders from Chennai Port (Madras). Moreover it is one of the companies with the world's most significant dimension of reefer likewise containers.
Other Notable Shipping Lines
3. Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) One of the world’s leading shipping companies, operating primarily from Chennai port to the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and other regions, was founded in Italy in 1970. Known as the Australian Express Service (AES), it is recognized for its global reach. However, the main port predominantly transits from Chennai to Mumbai, Antwerp, Genoa, etc.
4. Hapag-Lloyd- It links Chennai port to various ports in other countries, such as Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. This Germany-based shipping line owns a fleet of numerous high-technology container ships that transit between different destinations worldwide.
5. Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation—Yang Ming is a Taiwan-based shipping company that offers a container shipping line from Chennai port to ports in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.
Chennai Port Major Imports List
- Petroleum and Petroleum Products: However Chennai port handles massive imports of Crude oil and refined petroleum products to different international likewise destinations.
- Electronic Goods: In order to search many imports via Chennai port involve electronic products such as mobile phones, consumer electronics, computers, etc.
- Machinery and Equipment: Chennai port also experiences heavy imports of machinery, likewise automobile spare parts, construction materials, and industrial kits.
- Automobile Components: Chennai is a base of automobile therefore manufacturing units; therefore, Chennai port is a centre therefore importing automobile parts, accessories, etc., from different however parts of the world likewise manufacturing units.
- Food Products: Moreover Despite India being an agriculture-based country, various edibles, such as processed foods and edible oils, are imported through Chennai port ( Madras).
In addition to the above items, Iron and steel products, various kinds of Chemicals, fertilizers, textile raw materials, etc, likewise they are imported from Chennai.
Major Exports from Chennai Port
- Automobiles and Auto Parts: Chennai port plays a vital role in the export of cars and their parts.
- Textiles and Garments: Chennai port (Madras) facilitates the significant export of textile industry products such as garments, elastics, and ready-to-wear apparel to the Middle East, the US, etc.
- Engineering Goods: Ports play a significant role in exporting engineering goods, such as industrial components and electrical machines, to ports in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, etc.
- Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals: Chennai Port's contribution is also highly valuable in the export of chemicals and pharmaceuticals, as a significant portion is exported via the reefer refrigerator service provided by many international and Indian shipping lines.
- Cement: Every year likewise India exports immense amount of construction material, such as cement, from Chennai port to countries like the Middle East and Africa.
Moreover, the Indian export industry is booming; therefore, the increase in shipping services is also high. Every year, in addition to the products mentioned earlier, various ports, including Chennai Port (China), export marine products, petroleum, agricultural goods, iron ore, and coal to different destination countries.
Contribution of Chennai Port to the Indian Economy
Chennai Port, the gateway of South India, is one of the country's oldest and most essential seaports on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. Besides facilitating trade worldwide, the port has contributed immensely to Southern India's growth and economy. It deals with various cargo, such as petroleum products, textiles, electronics, and automotive, and is a leading container port in the country. As a result of its latest and state-of-the-art terminals laden with cutting-edge technology, it has become a critical junction in countries' import-export logistics web.
The role of Chennai port in the automotive sector is well-acknowledged. In other words, it has facilitated the export of cars from Nissan, Hyundai, Ford, Renault, etc. The Chennai port's being equipped with roll-on/roll-off cargo amenities has supported the export of automobiles and vehicles in the international market.
Likewise, the areas in its vicinity, like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, have undergone commercial ( economic) development due to Chennai Port Madras. The port has been serving industries such as leather, pharmaceuticals, engineering, petrochemicals, etc, by providing cost-effective shipping. Moreover, it has provided direct and indirect employment for truckers, workers at the dock, and freight forwarders. From the nation's perspective, the Chennai port, Madras, has escalated its earnings through international trade, which is well proven by the port's 50 million tonnes of cargo annually.
On the other hand, the vast throughput has fostered contributions to port charges, customs duties, government taxes, etc. Also, the port's operation has amplified growth in warehousing, maritime services, and logistics sectors, thereby proving its contribution to strengthening the Indian economy.
In conclusion, Chennai Port, Madras, is not just an advantage to South India but also is watering the Indian economy by generating job opportunities, improving exports, and supporting industries.
Challenges
According to information about Chennai Port (Madras) in detail and a recently released report, Chennai Port witnesses almost 1.5 million TEUs of container cargo annually, indicating its capacity and contribution to the world’s trade. However, the glorious story of the port also has some challenges, such as congestion and competition with different ports, which cannot be ignored. Furthermore, during peak seasons, the above factors significantly affect the seamless shipping experience for both exporters and importers.
Chennai Port in Future
Currently, expansion projects are underway to upgrade the port's infrastructure to cope with the increasing exports and imports at Chennai Port. Additionally, initiatives have been taken to update the port with the latest technology, which will make it the most competent port, equipped with state-of-the-art technology.
- In a nutshell -
As an important commercial centre of India, Chennai port contributes immensely to international shipping. The port has been serving for centuries and has been evolving since then with modern and new-age technology. It now stands out in infrastructure, services, and maintenance, competing with the other global seaports. The process of up-advancing the port is unending, and so has its contribution to the Indian economy.
Name the top 12 shipping lines from Chennai to international destinations
Maersk Line, CMA CGM, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), Hapag-Lloyd, Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation, ONE (Ocean Network Express), Evergreen Marine Corporation, COSCO Shipping Lines, APL (American President Lines), ZIM Integrated Shipping Services, Hamburg Süd, Indocean Lines
What figures support the rise of cargo volume from Chennai port?
According to the latest statistics, the rise of 50 million tonnes of total cargo volume annually is evident.
Which organization manages Chennai port (Madras)?
It is operated by a government-owned corporation called Chennai Port Trust.
What are the accessibility traits of Chennai port?
The Port is equipped with screen reader access, speech recognition support, etc, for accessibility.
Chief Services from them include-
- Import-export custom Clearing
- Shipping forwarding
- Air and sea Consolidation
- International Courier
- Door-to-door services
- Bonded and private warehousing
- Import-export certification
- Import-export documentation
- Product sourcing from China
For more details about Chennai Port (Madras), feel free to contact us at +91-9311595648. You may also call us at the above number or email us at cargodeal@falconfreight.com with customs clearance and freight forwarding queries.