Chennai Port Authority Sets Up Dedicated Port Facilitation Cell to Boost Transhipment Business

Chennai Port Authority has constituted a Dedicated Port Facilitation Cell with a focused mandate to strengthen trade facilitation and enhance ease of doing business, with one of its two verticals aimed squarely at positioning Chennai as a preferred transhipment hub.

What is the mandate of the Transhipment Promotion vertical?

The second vertical of the Cell focuses on Transhipment Promotion, with the objective of positioning Chennai Port as a preferred transhipment hub by simplifying processes, addressing operational challenges and driving initiatives to increase transhipment cargo volumes.

How will the Cell work with industry stakeholders?

The Cell will work closely with shipping lines, terminal operators and other stakeholders to facilitate seamless transhipment movement, improve operational efficiency and unlock new cargo opportunities for the port.

What outcomes is the Cell expected to deliver?

The initiative is targeted at increasing transhipment volumes, improving operational efficiency, reducing turnaround time and enhancing Chennai Port’s overall competitiveness as a transhipment gateway.

Who has been appointed to lead this initiative?

Prasanth Muralidharan, Deputy Director (SM), has been named the Nodal Officer for the Cell, with contact details shared for trade and shipping stakeholders seeking to engage directly on transhipment-related matters.

What does this mean for Chennai Port’s broader positioning?

Chennai Port Authority said it remains committed to strengthening its position as a competitive and preferred transhipment gateway, enabling seamless cargo movement and creating greater value for the wider maritime trade ecosystem, as ports across India compete to capture a larger share of regional transhipment volumes currently routed through hubs like Colombo and Singapore.