AECTPL Records Strong Container Growth as Ennore Emerges as a Major South India Gateway
The Adani Ennore Container Terminal (AECTPL) is seeing strong growth in container traffic as more international shipping services use Ennore as a gateway for South Indian cargo.
AECTPL handled approximately 701,000 TEUs in FY 2025–26, compared with around 681,000 TEUs in FY 2024–25. Provisional figures for April–May 2026 show approximately 122,000 TEUs, around 30% higher year-on-year. �
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🚢 Growing International Connectivity
AECTPL currently hosts two deep-sea services and four feeder services, including services connecting the region with Europe and other international markets. The growth of direct services is helping strengthen Ennore’s position in South India’s container shipping network. �
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The terminal’s location, around 30 km north of Chennai Port, provides access to major industrial areas and manufacturing centres in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states. It also has 24/7 road access, on-dock rail connectivity to Bengaluru and connections to four National Highways. �
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📦 Phase 2 Expansion
To accommodate growing demand, AECTPL Phase 2 is under construction.
The project is planned to add approximately 0.6 million TEUs of annual capacity through:
Container-jetty extension
Additional container-yard capacity
New rail-mounted quay cranes
Electric RTG cranes
Additional terminal equipment
Improved vessel and container-handling efficiency �
Adani Ports
AECTPL currently has around 0.8 million TEUs of annual capacity, with expansion potential to approximately 1.4 million TEUs. �
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🌍 Why It Matters for EXIM India
The growth of AECTPL is significant for South India’s exporters and importers.
Greater container capacity and more direct shipping services can help manufacturers move cargo from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and the wider southern hinterland to international markets.
It can also support the wider logistics ecosystem, including:
Factories → Trucking → AECTPL → Container Vessel → Global Markets
🤝 Adani–MSC Partnership
AECTPL is operated through a partnership between Adani Ports and Terminal Investment Limited (TiL), MSC’s terminal arm. APSEZ holds 51%, while TiL holds 49%. �
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The partnership is intended to strengthen container volumes and international shipping connectivity at Ennore.
🚢 Competition Growing Around Ennore
The growth of AECTPL comes as Kamarajar Port is preparing a second container terminal project. The planned terminal is expected to have a 1,000-metre quay and capacity of up to 2 million TEUs, with major global shipping companies reportedly showing interest. �
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Together, these developments could significantly increase Chennai–Ennore’s importance as a container hub for South India.
📰 EXIM India Times Headline
“AECTPL Container Volumes Surge as Ennore Strengthens Its Position as South India’s Global Trade Gateway”
Key Facts
Particular
Details
Terminal
AECTPL
Location
Ennore, Chennai
FY 2025–26 volume
~701,000 TEUs
Apr–May 2026
~122,000 TEUs
YoY growth
~30%
Current capacity
~0.8 million TEUs
Phase 2 addition
~0.6 million TEUs
Potential capacity
~1.4 million TEUs
Deep-sea services
2
Feeder services
4
APSEZ stake
51%
TiL/MSC stake
49%
Source: Adani Ports operational information and recent maritime-industry reporting. �
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