CHENNAI: The first phase of the upcoming multimodal logistics park at Mappedu, near Chennai, is expected to be operational by April 2026, according to Sunil Paliwal, Chairperson of the Chennai Port Authority and Kamarajar Port Limited. This initial phase involves an investment of Rs 350 Cr and forms part of a larger three-phase project with a total outlay of Rs 1,400 Cr.
Paliwal also announced plans for a similar logistics facility in Coimbatore, driven by the region’s strong export activity. Currently, around 20% of the export cargo from Coimbatore and surrounding districts in handled by the Chennai and Kamarajar ports, highlighting the strategic importance of boosting logistics capabilities in Tamil Nadu.
He emphasized the growing opportunities for handling engineering goods and project cargo moving eastward. To enhance efficiency for exporters, he proposed strategic collaborations with shipping lines to stock empty containers in Coimbatore, there improving container availability and reducing logistical bottelnecks.
In FY 2024–25, Chennai and Kamarajar ports collectively handled over 100 million tonnes of cargo. Both ports also crossed Rs. 1,000 crore in operational income during the fiscal year. Chennai Port operates two container terminals under public-private partnerships, with a combined capacity of 3 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). Meanwhile, Kamarajar Port is expanding its capacity by constructing a second terminal, which will raise its container handling capacity to 1.4 million TEUs.
