Chennai Port Hosts Hamburg Port Authority Delegation, Discusses Cooperation, Knowledge Exchange
Chennai:
Port Wings News Network:
Chennai Port Authority (ChPA) on 19 February 2026 hosted a high-level delegation from Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) as part of an official engagement programme aimed at strengthening international cooperation and knowledge exchange in port development and operations.
The delegation was led by Jens Meier, President (IAPH) & CEO, Hamburg Port Authority, and included senior representatives from the Port of Hamburg ecosystem spanning terminal operations, logistics, consulting, cruise, digital identity/access systems and academia.
The visit commenced with a Chennai Port tour, including a briefing at the Signal Station, a vessel tour in the Port Basin, and site visits to two of the international container terminals operated by DP World and PSA, followed by an interaction session at Chennai Port Authority.
The formal session was chaired by S. Viswanathan, IAS, Chairperson, Chennai Port Authority, and co-chaired by Jens Meier, CEO, Hamburg Port Authority and President, International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH).
Dr. Ennarasu Karunesan, Regional Director – South Asia, IAPH, and Jens Meier made presentations, and it was followed by screening of Port & CSR film by Chennai Port Authority.
During the discussions, both sides exchanged perspectives on sustainable development of port and its surrounding region, future-ready and resilient infrastructure, and digital transformation, including the growing role of AI-enabled port systems and pilot programmes, such as Digital Twin for planning and operational optimisation.
ChPA shared its ongoing initiatives covering electrification of port equipment and transition to renewable energy sources, shore power supply to EXIM vessels in a phased manner and green fleet transition beginning with Green Tug, along with major infrastructure priorities such as internal road expansion works, Outer Harbor project, cruise terminal expansion and modernisation, gate automation. Expressing the limited land resource available, Chennai Port highlighted its vertical expansion solutions such as multi-level car parking, road-overbridges, flyovers, high-density staking of containers at Mega Outer Harbour Terminal, etc.
The interaction also covered strengthening institutional cooperation through the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) and exploring structured collaboration avenues in areas such as innovation, best-practice exchange, capability building and port-led regional sustainability initiatives. Chennai Port is a member of the International Association of Ports and Harbours and became the first Indian Port to win the IAPH Sustainability Award at the World’s Port Conference held in Hamburg, Germany during 2024.
About The Author
