MPA eyes Rs 6,160cr investment, Goa govt gets Rs 200cr for waterways infra

Panaji: Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) inked 25 MoUs at the India Maritime Week in Mumbai, creating a tentative investment pipeline of Rs 6,160 crore, including a Rs 3,500 crore ($400 million) proposal for an LNG (liquefied natural gas) terminal at the Vasco port.

Simultaneously, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) announced an allocation of Rs 200 crore for Goa’s waterways, which chief minister Pramod Sawant said will accelerate the development of ferry terminals, jetty modernisation, and river navigation infrastructure in the state.

“The impact of this investment will soon be visible across Goa’s waterways, enhancing mobility, tourism, and economic activity. We have set up the shipbuilding vision of 2037 to position Goa as a green, smart, and export-driven hub. The comprehensive shipbuilding policy will follow shortly,” Sawant said while speaking at the inauguration of the India Maritime Week.

He said that eco-friendly coastal shipping, cruise tourism, infrastructure for fisheries, logistics, renewable energy, and skilling youth for maritime jobs will feature in the state’s maritime masterplan.

MPA and Atlantic & Pacific LNG have entered into a strategic alliance towards the development, construction, and operation of LNG and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) terminals at Vasco, which could be commissioned by 2027.

Sawant said that his govt intends to focus on port-led industrial growth backed. “We aim to balance the growth with ocean health, advancing the circular economy model, clean energy, and responsible use of marine resources in line with the sustainable development goals.”

Port authorities are also exploring the feasibility of interstate ferry services, including a proposal for a Mumbai-Goa RoRo ferry service.

Ports minister Digambar Kamat said that the process of establishing the Goa Maritime Board has already started.