• Chennai Port, among India’s busiest ports, shut down on December 4, 2023, due to the approaching Cyclone Michaung threat.
• The cyclone, which had been brewing in the Bay of Bengal, was expected to make landfall near Chennai on December 4.
• The closure of the port caused the stoppage of all shipping and cargo operations.
• The closure of Chennai Ports had a significant impact on Indian coastal operations.
• The port is a major hub for trade and commerce, and its closure disrupted the movement of goods and materials across the country.
• The closure also caused delays and cancellations of shipping schedules.
• The closure of Chennai Ports, one of India’s largest container and cargo handling hubs, isn’t merely a local inconvenience.
• It triggers a domino effect and impacts various stakeholders and segments of the maritime industry.

Impact on Indian Coastal Operations

• The closure of Chennai Ports had a significant impact on Indian coastal operations.
• The port is a major hub for trade and commerce, and its closure disrupted the movement of goods and materials across the country.
• The closure also caused delays and cancellations of shipping schedules.
• According to the Shipping Corporation of India, the closure of Chennai Ports resulted in a loss of over Rs. 100 crore (US$13 million) per day.
• The closure also affected the movement of essential goods, such as food and medicines.
• The strong storm brought heavy rains and floods, causing chaos in the port city. It messed up all the ways things usually move around.
• A person who helps ships in Chennai said they’ve stopped ships from coming in or going out at Chennai, Kattupalli, and Ennore ports.
• The gates will stay closed until further updates are provided.
• In response to heavy rain and a cyclone warning.
• Maersk Line instructed its employees in Chennai to work from home, following local safety guidelines as advised by authorities.
• Reports indicate a halt in train and flight services in Chennai due to the cyclone’s impact.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, The closure of Chennai Ports was a major disruption to Indian coastal operations.

However, the measures taken by the Indian government and the Chennai Port Trust helped to mitigate the impact of the cyclone.

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References:

• Red alert issued in all coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh as Cyclone Michaung [1].
• Chennai ports shut as cyclone michaung approaches indian coast [2].