Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) has drawn up plans to seek about ₹1,300 crore in central funding from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways for a major upgrade of its infrastructure, centred on redevelopment of Berth 9 and capital dredging of the approach channel. The move is aimed at transforming Goa’s only major port into a deeper-draft, multi-cargo hub capable of handling larger vessels and diversifying beyond its traditional iron ore base.
Of the total requirement, around ₹750 crore has already been proposed to the Centre for modernising and developing Berth 9 into a 350-metre-long multi-cargo facility equipped with shore power, replacing the idle, decades-old ore-handling setup. Berth 9 is currently the only berth at Mormugao that has not been privatised, giving the port authority a key asset to reposition for higher-value, flexible cargo handling.
The balance funding is intended for capital dredging to deepen the port’s approach channel from the present 14.4 metres to about 19.8 metres, and to 19.5 metres alongside at least four berths, enabling the port to receive Capesize vessels. MPA officials say this deep-draft capability is essential for attracting larger bulk and multi-cargo ships, improving economies of scale and strengthening the port’s competitiveness against other west coast gateways.
The initiative builds on earlier environmental clearances obtained for channel deepening and Berth 9 redevelopment, after previous PPP attempts stalled amid uncertainty over Goa’s iron ore mining resumption. With the fresh push for central support, MPA expects to complete approvals and tendering in phases, positioning the upgraded berth and deeper channel as long-term capacity builders that can support cargo diversification, coastal shipping and potential cruise or project cargo opportunities.
