With the operations at car export terminal of Chennai’s Kamarajar Port (previously known as Ennore port) heading towards its full capacity of 3 lakh vehicles per year, the state-owned organisation is gearing up to set up a new terminal to accommodate the increasing vehicle exports.

Kamarajar Port Ltd. is used by India’s top automotive exporters Hyundai and Nissan. The city is also home to manufacturing plants of global OEMs Renault and Ford who also have major export plans. In fact, Ford India exports alone are expected to surpass 2 lakh units (will be split between the Chennai and Sanand facilities) by 2020.

Auto exports from India grew by 9% on an average in the last four financial years though March 2015 compared to a lackluster 1% growth in domestic sales. So naturally, the OEMs are looking to increase their export operations to compensate for the flat domestic market. Exports from Kamarajar Port have witnessed a growth of 11% in the four months through July 2015.

Talking to media, Chairman of Kamarajar Port Ltd., M.A. Bhaskarachar, said that the OEMs have jointly asked for more space and port company will take the new terminal plan for the approval of board in the next two months. The company will also call for a bid in next 15 days to appoint a consultant for setting up a new port.

The consultant will be required to come up with a final report on construction of Greater Kamaraj Port (tentative name) adjacent to the existing port. The new terminal will also be supported by a yard to park cars before they are loaded on to the ship.

The new terminal would further strengthen the long standing relationship between the port company and automotive OEMs. It will also add more reason as to why Chennai is an attractive destination for a global car maker to set up a manufacturing facility.

Source:rushlane.com