The Union government has approved the proposal of New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) for the redevelopment of berth no. 9 for handling liquid bulk cargo on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis under the DBFOT (design, build, finance, operate, transfer) model. The approval for implementation was conveyed on March 25.

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 modernization, 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).

Aiming High

With an estimated project cost of ?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 (million tonnes per annum), and the concessionaire will commit to a minimum guaranteed cargo of 7.63 MTPA by the fifth year of operations. The construction period is two years, with a concession period of 30 years, inclusive of construction.

Quoting the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, a media statement said: “This transformative project is a reflection of the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, under whom India’s maritime infrastructure is being modernised at an unprecedented pace. 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.”

Source: The Hindu Business Line 

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