The work will be carried out to increase the diameter of the turning circle at both the Bharathi and Ambedkar Docks.
| Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM
For berthing and safe manoeuvring of very large crude carriers, Chennai Port Authority will soon carry out capital dredging work. This infrastructure upgrade is a necessity to handle large vessels with a length of 350 m or more.
The capital dredging work (deepening of the existing channels to cater to large vessels) will be done to increase the diameter of the turning circle at both the Bharathi and Ambedkar Docks.
While the Ambedkar Dock turning circle’s diameter of 392 m will increase by 200 m, the Bharathi Dock’s 560-m turning circle will be expanded by 50 m. The completion of the work will enable the turning of large container and crude vessels at the port.
According to Chennai Port Authority, the capital dredging project is crucial for the port’s growth as it will help larger, deeper vessels, and very large crude carriers to safely access the facility. At times of adverse weather conditions, while deepening the channels substantially decreases the risk of vessels running aground, widening the channels will help vessels manoeuvre safely and allow for two-way traffic.
Set for upgrade
Dredging is carried out at harbours mainly to maintain and enhance navigation infrastructure
Capital dredging is carried out to deepen existing channels or establish new ones to facilitate the holding of large vessels
This will help with the safe manoeuvring of very large container and crude vessels with a length of 350 m or more
Total quay length at Chennai Port: around 5.5 km
Number of docks: 3 (Ambedkar, Jawahar, and Bharathi Docks)
Number of berths: 24
To implement the project, Chennai Port Authority needs to first receive environmental clearance. In August, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) granted the Terms of Reference (ToR) for carrying out the capital dredging work. In the ToR, the Ministry has directed Chennai Port Authority to do various studies, including an hydrodynamics study on the impact of dredging, the effect of dredging and dumping activities on the coastline, if the project will affect marine ecology and biodiversity and the work’s effect on the erosion and accretion at the mouth of the creek located close to the site.
Officials said they would soon appoint a consultant for conducting the recommended studies along with environment impact assessment studies and help the authorities get Environmental Clearance from the MoEF&CC, New Delhi, and Coastal Regulation Zone Clearance from the State Coastal Zone Management Authority.
Published – November 03, 2025 08:33 pm IST
