NAVI MUMBAI: Maharashtra is set to get its third large port soon with the central government giving its nod for development of a new shipping terminal near Dahanu, about 150 km from Mumbai, for about Rs 2,500 crore. The new port, to be named Vadhavan Port, will be a joint venture between the government-owned Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) and is expected to be operational by 2021-22.
The Narendra Modi-led government has been urging states to join hands with the Centre to develop facilities for better maritime cargo transport. Under this initiative, the Sagar port in West Bengal was the first one to be launched in which the Kolkata port and the West Bengal Maritime Board have joined hands. Vadhavan Port is the second such initiative.
One of the major advantages for the proposed port near Dahanu is its natural depth of sea level (called draft) of about 20 metres, which will allow larger vessels to sail in closer to the port. In comparison, the ports at JNPT and Mumbai have average draft of about 14-15 metres. A deeper draft would allow larger bulk carriers to come closer to the port compared to those which call at JNPT and Mumbai ports. The current trend in the shipping industry is towards bigger vessels that can handle bulk cargo as they have advantages of volumes, which lead to economies of scale.
According to Neeraj Bansal, deputy chairman, JNPT, the government has decided for a joint effort between the Centre and the states in port development. “In the Vadhavan project, JNPT will have 74% equity while MMB will hold 26% equity in the proposed Rs 2,500-crore project,” he said. “We need more ports and the place near Dahanu has come in handy since it has a very good draft for the future requirements of cargo movement by sea. Bulk cargo and bigger vessels require draft of 16 metres or more.”
