New Delhi, 30 March (H.S.):

The central government approved the redevelopment of Berth-9 at New Mangalore Port Authority on Monday to boost liquid bulk cargo handling and maritime efficiency.

Ports Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the project under a public-private partnership DBFOT model will demolish old infrastructure for a modern facility handling crude oil petroleum products and LPG.

Capacity Upgrade for Larger Vessels

Draft will rise from 10.5 meters to 14 meters with provision for 19.8 meters enabling 200000 DWT vessels including VLGCs.

Costing 438.29 crore rupees the initiative developed via competitive bidding by a private partner features a two-year construction and 30-year concession with advanced marine unloading arms automated mooring systems modern fire-fighting and control tech.

Sonowal called it a key step in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's maritime modernization drive lifting annual cargo capacity to 10.90 million tonnes and cementing India's global shipping stature.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar