The license to develop, operate and manage the Chennai Port container terminal for a period of 30 Years was awarded by Chennai Port Trust to P & O Ports on 12th September 2000. In line with the conditionalities of the BOT Concession, CCTPL was incorporated as an Indian Company at Chennai and the take over and refurbishment of the Container Terminal commenced. 

The Container Terminal in the Port of Chennai happens to be the oldest container terminal in the country. The terminal was formally taken over by P&O Ports and operations commenced on 30th November 2001.At the time CCT took over operations of the terminal, Chennai port was handling 350,000 TEUs per annum.

The CCT team went to work on refurbishment and improvements of the yard and wharf thus commencing on its journey of reengineering. The team worked relentlessly to improve the terminal to successfully achieve bench marks established at international terminals.

CCT, being committed to become a major hub on the East Coast, has hence invested more than USD 100 million to develop a state of the art Terminal with equipment to cater to the growing demand of the flourishing business and to ensure faster turnaround of vessels whilst remaining highly efficient with increased productivity. 4 Noell single lift Quay Cranes, 1 Twin Lift Crane and 18 new RTGs have completely revamped the equipment outlook. The yards have been refurbished to allow 4 high stacking and additional space created by shifting the CFS from within the terminal to a location within the port.

These initiatives coupled with the efforts of process reengineering has enabled CCT to increase it’s throughput to 829,307 TEUs in 2006, thus garnering 60% of the share of containerized traffic handled at the 4 container terminals in South India.

In addition to the traditional container terminal services, CCT also offers its customers the services of a CFS for inspection, LCL de stuffing and delivery of import cargo and Unaccompanied Baggage (personal effects). The presence of the CFS within the port premises enables prompt and convenient services to importers as well as passengers. Another unique feature of the CFS is prompt transshipment of LCL cargo to Inland Container Destinations such as Bangalore, Hyderabad, Cochin, Pondicherry and other locations. CCT also gives delivery of import containers of Accredited Clients Programme from the terminal.

CCTL has maintained its focus on exceeding customer needs and satisfaction and anticipating future trends to not only facilitate but also act as a driver for containerization and industrial growth in South India. Over the span of 5 years several initiatives have been taken to improve processes and customize operations based on customer requirements.

With the introduction of direct services to places as far as China, West Africa, Europe and US, CCT is geared to serve the EX-IM trade in Chennai and its hinterland to its utmost potential. CCT has maintained and developed cordial relations with all members of the trade including CHENSAA, CCHAA, Chambers of Commerce, Chennai Customs, Chennai Port Trust and NACFS, who have partnered CCT in improvement of processes to help the growth of containerized shipping in Chennai.

CCT has constantly striven to ensure good Industrial relations maintained with its employees by implementing employee development and welfare measures thereby ensuring employee satisfaction and optimum utilization of human resources. Ever since the merger of P&O Ports with DP World, CCT, being part of the DP World network of 42 terminals in 22 countries* across 5 continents, has continued its focus on customer service and excellence in all spheres of its operations.

Having obtained certification for its quality with ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001, ISO 27001 and having entered the league of the Top 100 Ports of the World, CCT has emerged as the hub port of choice for all its customers on the East coast of India. 

* As of 1 March 2007