<p data-path-to-node="2">Kamarajar Port Limited (KPL), located in North Chennai, is experiencing a surge in private sector interest for its major dry bulk cargo infrastructure expansion. Five domestic and international infrastructure developers have formally expressed interest in bidding for the construction and maintenance of two new mechanized bulk berths, an initiative designed to scale up the major gateway's dry bulk capacity and integrate pollution-free cargo evacuation pipelines.</p><p data-path-to-node="3">The heavy industrial infrastructure development will be executed on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) model under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework.</p><h3 data-path-to-node="5"><b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="0">Engineering Blueprint for Capesize Mechanized Infrastructure</b></h3><p data-path-to-node="6">The project footprint targets the rapidly increasing import-export (Exim) demand for heavy dry bulk commodities such as limestone, barytes, gypsum, bauxite, and iron pellets across the regional hinterland:</p><ul data-path-to-node="7"><li><p data-path-to-node="7,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="7,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Capesize Handling Capabilities:</b> The architectural plan outlines the construction of two massive berths, each measuring 425 meters in length and 30 meters in width. To safely berth fully loaded Capesize bulk carriers ranging from 150,000 to 180,000 Deadweight Tonnage (DWT), KPL will execute dredging operations to deepen the dock basin area to an operational depth of -20.00 meters Chart Datum (CD).</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="7,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="7,1,0" data-index-in-node="0">Fully Automated Logistics Chain:</b> The concessionaire will be mandated to install fully automated, enclosed cargo transport pipelines. This includes high-capacity ship loaders and unloaders, automated stacker-reclaimers, and covered conveyor networks to guarantee dust-free, environmentally compliant terminal handling.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="7,2,0"><b data-path-to-node="7,2,0" data-index-in-node="0">Logistics and Rail Integration:</b> Beyond a 7- acre staging area adjacent to the berths, the port authority has earmarked an expansive backup storage footprint of 100 to 150 acres situated roughly 2.5 kilometers outside the immediate port premises. This backup yard will connect directly to the regional rail infrastructure via Holding Yard - 2 to optimize onward evacuation.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="7,3,0"><b data-path-to-node="7,3,0" data-index-in-node="0">Project Structuring:</b> KPL is utilizing the initial Expressions of Interest (EoI) to refine the final qualification criteria and choose optimal financial structures before officially circulating the final Request for Proposal (RFP) and standard 30 - year Draft Concession Agreement.</p></li></ul>