Reinforcing its commitment to ‘Make-in-India’ and aimed at further strengthening India’s role as a strategic automotive manufacturing hub, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has renewed its Wharfage Rate Agreement with Kamarajar Port Limited (KPL). The renewed agreement formalizes a decade-long partnership, reflecting TKM’s focus on operational efficiency and strategic collaborations. KPL has served as TKM’s primary export gateway since 2012.
The agreement was formalized by senior leadership from both entities at the Kamarajar Port, in the presence of key stakeholders from the shipping and automotive ecosystem. This renewal marks a significant step in strengthening TKM’s global supply chain and ensures the continued smooth export of Completely Built Units (CBUs) through KPL.
Yoshinori Noritake, EVP & Chief Technical Officer Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, commented on the occasion. He stated,
“Renewing the decade-long agreement with Kamarajar Port enables us to continue serving global markets from Indian soil with products of global quality. Over the years, KPL has become an an integral part of our export operations and a trusted partner in our pursuit of manufacturing excellence and global supply chain efficiency.” He added, “Their support remains critical to our long-term ambitions aligned with the Government of India’s vision of making the country a global automotive export hub. We are optimistic that this continued partnership will drive greater innovation, efficiency, and sustainability in our outbound logistics strategy.”
A Decade of Strategic Collaboration
TKM has been utilizing Kamarajar Port as its core logistics hub for international dispatches since the commencement of exports in April 2012. The company began its export journey from KPL by shipping 247 units of the Toyota Etios series to South Africa. Since then, over 180,000 CBUs have been shipped via KPL to date, underscoring the operational efficiency and trust built over the years. Currently, TKM exports its Urban Cruiser Hyryder to 22 countries, including key markets such as South Africa, UAE, France, Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
Shri. Sunil Paliwal, IAS – Chairman, KPL & Chennai port Authority, said, “Toyota Kirloskar Motor has been one of our earliest and most consistent automotive partners, and we take pride in contributing to their global success from the Indian coastline. This long-standing association reflects our shared commitment to scaling new horizons in automotive exports.” He also added, “As India’s manufacturing sector expands and global automotive demand evolves, we are well-positioned to support industry leaders like Toyota with sustainable, future-ready port operations.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What agreement has Toyota Kirloskar Motor renewed with Kamarajar Port? A: Toyota Kirloskar Motor has renewed its Wharfage Rate Agreement with Kamarajar Port Limited (KPL).
Q2: How long has TKM been using Kamarajar Port for its exports? A: TKM has been utilizing Kamarajar Port as its primary export gateway for over a decade, since April 2012.
Q3: How many vehicles has TKM exported through Kamarajar Port to date? A: As of July 2025, TKM has shipped over 180,000 Completely Built Units (CBUs) via Kamarajar Port.
Q4: To how many countries does TKM currently export its vehicles? A: TKM currently exports its Urban Cruiser Hyryder to 22 international markets.
Q5: What is the significance of this renewed agreement for TKM and India? A: The renewed agreement reinforces TKM’s commitment to ‘Make-in-India’ and strengthens India’s role as a strategic automotive manufacturing and global export hub.
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