Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) is making a fresh attempt at redeveloping its idle Berth No. 9, with the hope that the berth, which was once meant for iron ore, can now be used for general cargo. MPA has moved to conduct a feasibility report and subsequently prepare a detailed project report for the redevelopment of the berth.
This move comes after talks with Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) to set up a ship repair and refit facility at Berth 9 came to a standstill.
“A lot of time has gone by. GSL made an offer, which did not match our expectations. Time is of the essence, and we cannot wait. The negotiations with GSL will continue parallelly, but we want to explore more options,” said MPA chairman N Vinodkumar.
Berth 9 is the last berth that remains to be monetised by MPA. The major port made an attempt over two years ago to redevelop Berth No. 9 and three barge jetties through the public-private-partnership (PPP) route, which would have required an investment of around Rs 842 crore. The proposal failed to take off due to uncertainty about the resumption of iron ore mining in Goa.
MPA’s proposal offers 200-250m of waterfront area at Berth No. 9, which was earlier used for handling iron ore for 30 years. Dredging and shifting of the existing navigational channel will be required, said sources. This berth was offered to GSL, which is eager to build larger and weapon-intensive warships.
On Sep 25, 2023, Union minister for shipping, ports and waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, announced GSL’s interest in the port’s idle facilities, an announcement that was followed by an MoU between the port and the shipyard.
“We are exploring both options to see what benefits the port. At the end of the day, we want to utilise every inch of land,” said Vinodkumar. With mining activity resuming and with the expectation of container traffic also increasing, MPA has decided to make a fresh attempt at privatisation of the berth. The port plans to appoint a consultant to conduct a techno-economical feasibility study and a detailed project report, including cost estimates and design for the berth.
