CHENNAI : Chennai Port Authority has introduced a major Promotional Concession Scheme on Port Dues and Anchorage Fee for vessels calling exclusively at Chennai Port Outer Anchorage for bunkering and other eligible maritime services. Effective from 10 August 2026, the initiative is aimed at positioning Chennai Port Outer Anchorage as an Integrated Offshore Maritime Services Hub, offering vessels a cost-effective and efficient alternative for essential maritime support services.
Under the new scheme, vessels calling exclusively at the Outer Anchorage for eligible services will be entitled to substantial concessions on applicable Port Dues and Anchorage Fee:
85% concession for vessels up to 50,000 GRT
90% concession for vessels above 50,000 GRT
The concession is designed to encourage more vessels to utilise Chennai Port Outer Anchorage for a wide range of ship-support and maritime services without requiring a conventional cargo-handling call.
Wide Range of Maritime Services Covered
The promotional initiative covers several essential services required by vessels during their voyages and port operations. These include bunkering, supply of provisions, stores and spares, crew changes, sick crew disembarkation, ship repairs, underwater operations, surveys and inspections, among other eligible maritime activities.
By facilitating these services at the Outer Anchorage, Chennai Port Authority seeks to strengthen the port’s role not only as a cargo gateway but also as a comprehensive maritime service destination for vessels operating along the East Coast and in the wider Indian Ocean region.
Strengthening Chennai as an Offshore Maritime Services Hub
The initiative is expected to enhance the attractiveness of Chennai Port Outer Anchorage for shipping lines, vessel operators, bunker suppliers, marine service providers and other maritime stakeholders. The substantial reduction in applicable Port Dues and Anchorage Fee can help lower the overall cost of obtaining essential ship services while enabling vessels to optimise operational schedules.
The development of an integrated offshore maritime services ecosystem can also create opportunities for greater participation by ancillary maritime service providers, supporting the growth of associated activities such as marine repairs, underwater inspection, ship surveys, technical support, crew services and vessel provisioning.
The scheme is particularly significant in the context of India’s growing maritime trade and the increasing demand for efficient, reliable and cost-competitive ship-support infrastructure. A well-developed offshore services hub can help improve vessel turnaround efficiency, support regional shipping operations and enhance the competitiveness of Chennai as a maritime destination.
With the promotional concessions now in effect, Chennai Port Authority is taking a strategic step towards expanding the range of services available to the shipping community and unlocking the potential of Chennai Port Outer Anchorage as a specialised offshore maritime services centre.
The initiative reinforces Chennai Port’s broader commitment to facilitating business-friendly maritime services, improving operational efficiency and strengthening the port’s contribution to India’s evolving maritime and logistics ecosystem.
