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New Mangalore Port's Rs 438 Cr Berth Redevelopment to Boost Liquid Cargo

The government has approved the redevelopment of Berth No. 9 at New Mangalore Port on a PPP basis to handle liquid bulk cargo like crude oil and LPG. The Rs 438.29 crore project will enhance the berth's draft to 14 meters, allowing it to accommodate much larger vessels, including Very Large Gas Carriers. With a capacity of 10.90 million tonnes per annum, the project aims to replace nearly 50-year-old infrastructure with modern, future-ready facilities. The move is part of a broader push to modernize India's maritime infrastructure and strengthen its global trade competitiveness.

Key Points: New Mangalore Port Berth Redevelopment Approved for Liquid Cargo

  • Rs 438.29 crore project cost
  • 10.90 MTPA liquid bulk capacity
  • 30-year PPP concession
  • Draft enhanced to 14m for larger vessels
2 min read

Centre okays Berth redevelopment at New Mangalore Port to boost maritime efficiency

Govt approves Rs 438 cr redevelopment of Berth No. 9 at New Mangalore Port to handle 10.9 MTPA liquid bulk, enabling larger vessels.

"This transformative project is a reflection of the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi - Sarbananda Sonowal"

New Delhi, March 30

The government has approved the proposal of New Mangalore Port Authority for the redevelopment of Berth No. 9 for handling liquid bulk cargo on a Public-Private Partnership basis under the DBFOT model, it was announced on Monday.

The approval for implementation was conveyed on March 25, 2026, in a major step towards augmenting India's port infrastructure and strengthening maritime logistics, according to the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

With an estimated project cost of Rs 438.29 crore, the redevelopment will be undertaken by a private concessionaire selected through an open competitive bidding process (single-stage, two-envelope system).

The project will have a capacity of 10.90 MTPA, and the concessionaire will commit to a Minimum Guaranteed Cargo (MGC) of 7.63 MTPA by the 5th year of operations. The construction period is 2 years, with a concession period of 30 years, inclusive of construction.

The project envisages the dismantling of legacy infrastructure and comprehensive redevelopment of Berth No. 9 to handle liquid bulk cargo such as crude oil, petroleum products (POL), and LPG.

"As part of the modernisation, the berth draft will be enhanced from the existing 10.5 metres to 14 metres, with a future-ready design provision up to 19.8 metres, enabling the port to accommodate vessels up to 2,00,000 DWT, including Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGCs)," said the ministry.

"This transformative project is a reflection of the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, under whom India's maritime infrastructure is being modernised at an unprecedented pace," said Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal.

By replacing ageing facilities with world-class marine infrastructure, enhancing cargo handling capacity to 10.90 MTPA, and enabling the handling of larger vessels including VLGCs, "we are positioning our ports to meet future energy and trade demands while strengthening India's role as a global maritime leader", he added.

The project will replace nearly 50-year-old structures with modern marine infrastructure designed for a 50-year structural life, ensuring long-term sustainability and resilience.

The enhanced capacity will strengthen the port's ability to meet the growing regional demand for liquid bulk cargo, particularly energy commodities.

By enabling the handling of larger vessels and VLGCs, the project will improve economies of scale, reduce logistics costs, and enhance overall port competitiveness, said the ministry.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Rs 438 crore is a significant investment. I hope the bidding process is completely transparent and the project is completed on time. Delays in infrastructure projects are a common issue. Let's see if the 2-year construction deadline is met.
P
Priya S
As someone from coastal Karnataka, this is welcome news! Better infrastructure means more business and potentially more jobs for the local youth. Hope the environmental impact during construction is managed carefully. The coast is beautiful and must be protected.
V
Vikram M
Good move, but the 30-year concession period to a private player seems very long. Who will ensure the tariffs remain reasonable for end consumers? Public-private partnership is fine, but public interest must be safeguarded.
R
Rohit P
Future-ready design up to 19.8 metres is the key phrase here! We need to build for the next 50 years, not just for today. This is how you develop infrastructure. More such projects for other ports please!
M
Michael C
While the project sounds impressive on paper, the article reads like a government press release. It would be good to have independent analysis on the actual need, the selection of the DBFOT model, and the projected benefits for the common citizen beyond reduced "logistics costs".

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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