Chennai Port

Chennai is a major Central Government port operated by the Chennai Port Authority, with container handling through two principal terminals — Chennai Container Terminal (DP World) and Chennai International Terminals (PSA). Combined container throughput is roughly 1.6 million TEU annually. The neighbouring Kamarajar (Ennore) Port absorbs overflow and specialised cargo.

The feeder advantage is geographic. Karur sits 380 km inland (7 – 8 hours by road). Erode is 415 km (7 – 9 hours). Tirupur is 500 km (9 – 10 hours). Every South Indian textile corridor is within a day's road haul, and the road and rail connections have been modernised over the last decade. West-coast equivalents (Mundra or JNPA) are 40 – 60% further and add a clean 36 – 60 hours to the inland leg.

Sailing density favours Southeast Asia and Australasia. Direct services to Singapore, Port Klang, Colombo and Australian east-coast ports are weekly or better. For US, EU and Middle East lanes, Chennai typically transhipments via Colombo or Singapore — adds 3 – 5 days vs a Mundra direct call, which is why high-volume Western-bound bed linen still routes through the west coast.