Chennai worst hit by Asian tsunami.

The port of Chennai was the most badly affected in India by the 26 December tsunami that devastated parts of Asia.

According to the January/February 2005 issue of Port Strategy, the Chennai Port Trust (CPT) estimated the cost of damage to the port to be US$2.98M. Damage to ships and

Chennai is one of India's most important edible oil import ports and serves the country's southern states.

However, the tsunami did have the benefit of deepening the port's entry channel to 19.6m, from 18.6m previously. Chennai is now the deepest entry port on India's east coast and on completion of a capital dredging project to deepen its waterfront, it will be able to handle Suezmax-sized tankers.

Other important Indian vegetable oil import ports (see OFI, June 1999) such as Cochin and Vizag, were unaffected by the tsunami, Port Strategy said.

However, the Indian island territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was severely affected by the tsunami.

According to initial estimates, losses to port and shipping assets on the islands amounted to approximately US$229M, with Port Blair alone accounting for US$34-46M.

Sri Lanka was hard hit by the tsunami, but Colombo port was now operating normally after a short disruption to services. Galle port escaped serious damage despite the town itself being devastated, the report said.

However, Kankesanthurai port and Point Pedro were both extensively damaged. The Sri Lankan Ports Authority said the government was likely to ask for foreign assistance to rebuild the two ports.