Plans for a mega deep-sea port at Vadhavan, located north of Mumbai, are progressing with the Jawahar Lal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) signing several memoranda of understanding (MOUs) to develop container terminals and offshore projects. Among the key players, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, India’s largest port operator, has expressed interest in establishing a container terminal at Vadhavan, with an MOU valued at ₹26,500 crore.
JNPA Chairman Unmesh Wagh announced that the port will feature nine container terminals. Additionally, another MOU between JNPA and Adani Ports pertains to offshore projects, including the construction of a breakwater designed to protect the harbor, also valued at ₹26,500 crore. The actual contracts will be awarded following a comprehensive bidding process, with reports indicating that four entities have already submitted initial bids for the 10.14 km breakwater development.
The Vadhavan Port is a collaborative initiative between the state-owned JNPA and the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), with JNPA holding a 74% stake and MMB 24%. The total estimated cost for the project is ₹76,220 crore. Once completed, this all-weather port will enhance the national container handling capacity by 23.2 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) and accommodate mega container ships capable of carrying up to 24,000 TEUs.
