Mormugao port to dredge approach channel to redevelop berth for capesize vessels

Panaji: With environmental clearances in hand, Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) is preparing to deepen its approach channel to accommodate capesize vessels. The project, expected to take four years, will see the channel dredged from its current depth of 14.4m to close to 20m.

A consultant will soon be appointed to prepare the detailed project report, while the authority has sought govt assistance to push the work forward. “We have a plan to dredge our approach channel to 19.5m to bring the capesize vessels,” said MPA vice-chairman Vinayaka Rao. “The Centre is keen to have deep-draft berths at major ports.”

Parallel to the dredging effort, MPA has also secured clearance to redevelop berth 9. Once home to a mechanical ore handling plant, the berth will now be converted into a multi-cargo facility. A consultant is already on board to design the berth with “a vision for the next 50 years”, Rao said.

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 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 also initiated discussions with Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) to set up a ship repair and refit facility at berth 9, but after months of talks, the discussions stalled as GSL’s offer did not match the port’s expectations.

The major port is offering 200-250m of waterfront area at berth 9, which was earlier used for handling iron ore for 30 years.

“We need approvals from govt of India and we will be going to Centre in Sep to get the approvals. By Dec-Jan, all the approvals will be in place. We expect it will take 24 months to construct this berth. We expect the approvals for the tendering process to be completed by the end of this year,” said Rao.

Together, the dredging of the approach channel and redevelopment of berth 9 mark a significant step in repositioning Mormugao as a multi-cargo port ready for long-term trade demands, said Rao.