Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) has drawn up plans to seek around ₹1,300 crore in central funding to redevelop Berth 9 and carry out capital dredging to deepen the port’s approach channel and key alongside berths. The port has already submitted a ₹750 crore proposal to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to modernise Berth 9 into a 350‑metre multi‑cargo facility, repurposing an idle iron‑ore berth into a flexible terminal capable of handling a wider mix of commodities.
A second proposal, expected to go to the Centre in the coming months, will seek approval for deepening the channel from the current 14.4 metres to about 19.8 metres in the approach and 19.5 metres at a minimum of four berths so that the Goa gateway can receive larger Capesize tonnage. MPA has argued for 100 per cent central funding, pointing to its weak balance sheet and the 50 per cent cost‑sharing cap under the Sagarmala scheme, and says the project will help cut freight and logistics costs while lowering emissions per tonne of cargo moved by enabling fewer, larger ship calls.
