With its reception of MV Beluga - the first project cargo vessel at Karikal Port began operations. Karaikal Port is a Green Field Port Project awarded to Infrastructure Major MARG Limited for intial development and a subsequent operation for 30 years under BOT model by the Government of Pondichery (Puduchery) in January 2006, with its financial closure done in November 2006. The development of Karaikal Port is being carried out by Karaikal Port Private Ltd, a Special Purpose Company (SPC) - a wholly owned subsidiary of Marg Limited.

The port expected to be a harbinger of growth for the region and its hinterland. is located at the seaward face of the Cauvery delta with long heritage of sea faring activities. Thus a renaissance of millennia old seafaring activity has taken place with the kickstarting of operations at Karaikal Port which today flaunts a state-of-the-art all-weather, deep-water port, located 280 kms South of Chennai at Karaikal. The port with 2 berths having a combined capacity of 5 MMTPA (Million Metric Tonne Per Annum) is ready, with a back up area of 2.4 lakh sq. metres.

The first vessel MV Beluga was received amidst big display with Mr. GRK Reddy, Chairman & Managing Director, MARG Limited revealing his optimism of the port becoming a catalyst for unleashing the economic potential of Central Tamilnadu and Puduchery. MARG also acquired MARG Cauvery, a Cutter Suction Dredger; with a dredging capacity of 2000 cub.Mtr./hour, for dredging at Karaikal Port. The new Karaikal Port would serve its hinterland comprising of central Tamilnadu handling Coal bulk,textile, textile machinery, cement, agro-products, Project Cargo, Containers, chemical fertilizers, etc.The Port is poised to serve as a congestion-free port and will serve the customers with advanced Cargo handling equipments, Suitable Warehouse facilities,appropriate and damage free storage, faster turnaround of Ships due to mechanization. The port will also operate on a market driven competitive port tariff structure.

The Karaikal Port is planned for development in a  Phased manner. The Port is envisaged to be ultimately 32 MMTPA capacity with Capability to handle Dry and Liquid Bulk, Containers, Project Cargo, Break Bulk and General Cargo. With 3 different phases of development, the draft will be increased continuously to 13.5 to 16.5 Metres in stages. The Phase-I with water depths of 12.5 mts with a capacity up to 5 MMTA, is capable of handling vessels up to 50000 DW. The second phase with water depths of 16.5 mts, mechanized coal handling system with a capacity up to 21 MMPTA will be ready by 2011 to handle vessels up to 120000 DWT. Phase III with a cumulative capacity of 45 MMPTA will be ready for Operation by 2015.

Special features of the port include single window professional service, paperless working, cost effective technology, best logistics support for door-to-door online update for all customers to facilitate efficient handling cargo. Port is also poised to provide services like Bunkering, repairs of ships of small size, etc. The Port will have the capability to handle Dry and Liquid Bulk, Containers, Project Cargo, Break Bulk and General Cargo. Construction of the port is on a vast expanse of 600 acres with a unique state of the art cargo handling and backup facilities. Port already has excellent road and rail connectivity. Optimally suited to cater to the high potential industrial belts of Tamilnadu and Puducherry, the port is connected with NH45A and NH67. The major consultants/vendors associated with this prestigious project include, L&T Rombholl, DHI, Indomer Costal Hydraulics, Simplex Infrastructure Ltd, Amma Lines Ltd, International Seaport Dredging Ltd (ISDPL),Vanoord Indian Private Ltd, Akash Dredging, Aster Infratech Ltd, Roshan Electricals Company Private Ltd, Oscean Sparkle Ltd.

Marg Limited is Chennai based Infrastructure Company with wide ranging business interests in Infrastructure Projects like Ports, SEZs, Dredging, IT Parks, Theme Cities, Multi modal logistics etc.The construction of the port is on a vast expanse of 600 acres with a unique state of the art cargo handling and backup facilities. Port is also poised to provide services like Bunkering, Ship Repairs up to 120000 DWT size and Ship yard up to 25000 DWT ships.