Chennai Port in south-east India has fully opened its new club for seafarers. Crews of all ships calling at the port can now use it. The Chennai Port Authority (CHPA) announced this in a circular to masters, owners and agents dated 29 October 2026.
The club covers about 18,000 square feet, or about 1,670 square metres. The port says it is a safe and comfortable place for crew to rest, eat, call their families and relax ashore. The port built it on the orders of India's Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA), the shipping regulator. The port built it together with the Seafarers' Welfare Fund Society.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the club on 11 October 2026, together with three other port projects, India Shipping News reported. In March, The Hindu reported that the club cost about 8.44 crore rupees to build. It also said the port's older seafarers' club is just outside the port, so crew needed an immigration pass to go there.
What the club has
A reception, a lounge and a hall for meetings, training and celebrations.
A restaurant and dining hall, and a bar that looks out over the harbour.
A gym with treadmills and weights, and a games room with snooker and table tennis.
A library, a meditation room and a music room with a piano, drums and karaoke.
A sauna (free of charge), a spa (you pay) and a barber room.
A small shop, a money exchange desk and an internet café. The club's leaflet says there is free Wi-Fi.
An electric shuttle car between the club and the berths, from 10:00 to 22:00. How often it runs depends on how many ships are at the berths.
Opening hours are in Indian Standard Time (IST). The restaurant is open from 10:00 to 22:00. The gym and games room are open from 05:00 to 22:00. The shop is open from 12:00 to 20:00, and the spa and barber from 12:00 to 18:00.
Rooms for seafarers' families
The club has private rooms with a bed and bathroom. They are only for the parents, husband or wife, and children of seafarers on ships in Chennai Port. Family members must show a government ID. A room for two people costs 750 rupees per day, plus GST, India's goods and services tax.
Families can stay for up to five days, and only while the seafarer's ship is in the port. You can book from one day before the ship arrives until one day after it leaves, if rooms are free. You must pay the full price when you book. The port says payments are not refunded. Check-in is at 12:00 and check-out is at 11:00.
What it means for crews
Bring a valid crew identity card. The club staff may ask to see it.
Wear clean, casual clothes. Sleeveless vests and dirty or wet work overalls are not allowed. In the gym, wear sports clothes and clean shoes, and bring a towel.
If your family wants to meet you in Chennai, book a room early, before the ship arrives. Remember that the money is not refunded.
Pay all bills for food, spa or shop before you leave the club.
Masters should tell their crew about the club and the family rooms. The port asked masters to do this.
To book or ask questions, contact the CHPA Seafarers' Welfare Office. Phone or WhatsApp: +91 7305304005 or +91 6385076882. Email: chpaseafarersclub@gmail.com. For complaints, the port gives +91 7305205556 and dc@chennaiport.gov.in.
The port says you use the club, the sauna and the rooms at your own risk.
Cover photo: aerial view of Chennai Port and the city, February 2025. Photo: Saiphani02, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Sources: Chennai Port Authority, circular of 29 Oct 2026: Operationalisation of CHPA Seafarers' Club, India Shipping News, 12 Oct 2026: PM Narendra Modi inaugurates four infrastructure projects of Chennai Port, The Hindu, 4 Mar 2026: Seafarers club at Chennai Port nears completion.
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