Toyota Kirloskar Motor Strengthens Global Export Operations With Renewal Of Strategic Agreement At Kamarajar Port
Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) renewed its Wharfage Rate Agreement with Kamarajar Port Limited (KPL), strengthening ten years of productive collaboration and India’s increasing stature as a major hub for automotive exports.
The renewal of the agreement was signed at Kamarajar Port and was attended by senior management and stakeholders from both organizations and the shipping and automotive industries to ensure continued handling and export of Completely Built Units (CBU’s) handled at TKM sites to international locations. This new milestone builds on a partnership that began in 2012 and has become an essential element in Toyota’s global supply chain.
A Decade of Productive Collaboration
Since TKM began utilising Kamarajar Port for exports in April 2012, the port has served as the company’s primary outbound logistics gateway. The partnership began with the shipment of only 247 units of the Toyota Etios series to South Africa at initial. Over the years, the relationship has matured into a large volume, strategically important partnership due to extensive infrastructure and port services provided by KPL.
As of July 2025, TKM has exported over 180,000 CBUs through KPL to 22 international locations, including the Urban Cruiser Hyryder, which is in-demand in South Africa, the UAE, France, Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.The partnership allows TKM to ship high quality vehicles, while utilizing India’s manufacturing capabilities to introduce, and meet, varied requirements in vehicles.
Creating India’s Place in Global Production of Automobiles
This new agreement is in line with TKM’s long-term vision to contribute to the Government of India’s Make in India initiative, and also strengthen India’s identity as a competitive base for automotive exports. By exhibiting operational efficiency, minimizing turnaround times, and encouraging sustainable logistics practices, the TKM and KPL partnership is evidence of how industry and infrastructure can work together to expand global competitiveness.
Yoshinori Noritake, Executive Vice President & Chief Technical Officer Director at Toyota Kirloskar Motor, spoke about the renewal:
“Renewing the 10 year agreement with Kamarajar Port means we can continue offering a global market from India with global quality product. KPL has been integral to our expatriate operations for many years now, but also a valued partner in achieving manufacturing excellence, and enabling an efficient global supply chain. It is pertinent for us to have KPL’s support to achieve our long term ambitions, which align with the Government of India’s goal of making India a global player in automotive exports. We are hopeful that this extension will also foster enhanced innovation, efficiency, and sustainability in our outbound logistics program.”
KPL’s Commitment to Future-Ready Port Operations
Kamarajar Port Limited, known for its modern infrastructure and reliability, has been instrumental in supporting TKM’s growing export volumes. Shri Sunil Paliwal, IAS – Chairman, KPL & Chennai Port Authority, expressed pride in the enduring relationship:
“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 enduring partnership epitomizes our collective vision for expanding new frontiers in automotive exports. At KPL, customer-centric best-in-class infrastructure and reliable service with tailored solutions for port users have always been our focus. The growth in TKM’s export volumes illustrates this. 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.”
Now we are Driving Toward the Future
Now that an amended agreement is in place, TKM and KPL are able to look at optimization, new logistics alternatives, and their shared intention to be more sustainable. The global auto industry is undergoing sustained transformation, particularly as consumer preferences shift, technologies are adopted, and sustainability goals take shape. TKM’s relationship with KPL will ensure their export can be market-compliant, consistent and ready for the future.
And in addition to reinforcing Toyota’s commitment to India as a manufacturing and export base, it also confirms the potential for India’s automotive sector to play an important role in the global supply chain going forward.
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