Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA) is evaluating a series of expansion projects to strengthen its position as a key maritime gateway, with plans to develop additional crude oil jetties, petroleum product and chemical berths, LNG bunkering facilities, automobile storage infrastructure and cement handling facilities.
MbPA Chairperson Angamuthu said the port is assessing the feasibility of expanding its petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) infrastructure to cater to increasing refinery output from BPCL, HPCL and upcoming refinery expansions in Maharashtra. The proposed developments will be undertaken in collaboration with industry stakeholders.
POL cargo continues to be the largest contributor to Mumbai Port’s traffic, accounting for nearly 60% of total cargo. Vessel-borne crude oil volumes increased to 26.24 million metric tonnes (MMT) in FY 2025-26 from 17.22 MMT in FY 2011-12. According to the port, a 10% increase in vessel-borne POL cargo could add around 4.5 MMT to its annual throughput.
The port is also exploring the development of an LNG bunkering hub at Jawahar Dweep, leveraging Mumbai’s strategic location on the Middle East-Far East shipping corridor and its proximity to Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPA), where LNG-fuelled container shipping is expected to grow.
To boost automobile logistics, MbPA plans to establish a dedicated storage facility within the docks with capacity for around 100,000 vehicles, significantly enhancing its ability to handle EXIM automobile cargo. The port handled approximately 81,000 EXIM automobiles during FY 2025-26 and expects increased volumes from automobile manufacturing clusters in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
The port is also planning to develop cement silos capable of handling 2 MMT of domestic cement annually for distribution across the Mumbai region.
In line with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways’ proposed Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme, Mumbai Port is also looking to expand coastal cargo movement, including domestic automobile transportation, to promote low-carbon and sustainable logistics.
Mumbai Port recently achieved its highest-ever annual cargo throughput, handling 75.15 MMT in FY 2025-26, compared with 53.32 MMT in FY 2020-21, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 7% over the five-year period.
