With environmental clearances secured, the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) is initiating a significant dredging and redevelopment project to boost the port’s capacity. This four-year venture aims to deepen the approach channel from 14.4 meters to 19.5 meters, enabling accommodation of Capesize vessels, as stated by MPA Vice-Chairman Vinayaka Rao.
A consultant will soon be appointed to draft a detailed project report, with government support sought to expedite the process. Alongside the channel deepening, MPA has also obtained approval to transform Berth 9, previously used for mechanical ore handling, into a modern multi-cargo facility. A design consultant is on board to envision the berth’s future over the next 50 years.
Berth 9 is the last unmonetized section at MPA, with prior redevelopment attempts via public-private partnerships stymied by uncertainties in iron ore mining in Goa. The port now offers 200–250 meters of waterfront at Berth 9, which had been dedicated to iron ore for three decades. Rao anticipates seeking further approvals from the Government of India by September, with a view to complete construction within 24 months, positioning Mormugao as a key multi-cargo hub in India’s maritime landscape.
