Abstract: The efficiency of cargo handling operations at Chennai Port, a vital hub for India's maritime trade. The study focuses on key performance indicators (KPIs) like turnaround time, cargo throughput, and resource utilization to assess operational effectiveness. Data collection involves analyzing historical data, interviews with port stakeholders, and site observations. The analysis identifies bottlenecks in the process, such as inefficient berth allocation, inadequate equipment, and prolonged customs clearance times. The findings suggest opportunities for improvement, including optimizing resource deployment, enhancing automation, and streamlining administrative procedures. Ultimately, this research aims to enhance Chennai Port's efficiency, reduce costs, and improve its competitiveness in the global maritime market.Chennai Port, a major gateway for India's trade, plays a crucial role in the country's economic growth. However, like many ports globally, it faces challenges in maintaining operational efficiency to keep pace with the demands of a growing global economy. It is concluded, then, that the port and scientific communities have been dedicated to the development of evaluation models and methods, without considering management support. Therefore, as the main contribution of this work, a gap is identified in the literature regarding the creation of Evaluation Systems for specific contexts (ad hoc) that generate useful information for the management of cargo handling process at port terminals, contemplating the perceptions, value judgments and preferences of the manager responsible for such activity. Chennai Port can enhance its efficiency, reduce costs, and improve its competitiveness in the global maritime market. This will contribute to India's economic growth by facilitating trade and reducing the cost of international commerce.

Keywords: Cargo Handling, Logistics Operations,Berth Allocation,Customs Clearance,Equipment Utilization.

| DOI: 10.17148/IARJSET.2025.125276