Mormugao Port’s berth 9 gets clearence for re-development
GOA : Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) getting ready with environmental clearances secured, to undertake a major dredging and redevelopment project aimed at transforming the port’s capacity and versatility.
The initiative, expected to span four years, will see the port’s approach channel deepened from its current 14.4 metres to nearly 20 metres, enabling it to accommodate Capesize vessels. “We have a plan to dredge our approach channel to 19.5m to bring the Capesize vessels. The Centre is keen to have deep-draft berths at major ports,” said MPA Vice-Chairman Vinayaka Rao. A consultant will soon be appointed to prepare the detailed project report, with government support sought to accelerate progress.
Alongside the dredging, MPA has also obtained clearance to redevelop Berth 9, once home to a mechanical ore handling plant, into a modern multi-cargo facility. A consultant is already engaged to design the berth “with a vision for the next 50 years,” Rao added.
Berth 9 represents the last unmonetised berth at MPA. A previous attempt to redevelop it, along with three barge jetties through the PPP route at an estimated cost of ₹842 crore, failed to materialise due to uncertainties surrounding the resumption of iron ore mining in Goa. Talks with Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) on setting up a ship repair and refit facility also stalled after negotiations fell through.
The port is now offering 200–250 metres of waterfront area at Berth 9, which was earlier used for iron ore handling for three decades. “We need approvals from the Government of India and will be approaching the Centre in September. By December-January, we expect all approvals to be in place. The berth construction itself will take about 24 months, with the tendering process to be completed by year-end,” Rao said.
Together, the deepening of the channel and redevelopment of Berth 9 are expected to reposition Mormugao as a future-ready multi-cargo hub, strengthening its role in India’s maritime and trade network.