In a major boost to India’s maritime infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong virtually inaugurated the second phase of the PSA Bharat Mumbai Container Terminal (BMCT) at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) on Thursday.

With this commissioning, BMCT becomes India’s largest standalone container terminal, doubling its handling capacity from 2.4 million TEUs to 4.8 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). This milestone also establishes JNPA as the country’s largest container port by capacity.

The Rs 79.2 billion project was developed under a 30-year public-private partnership between JNPA and Singapore-based PSA International, marking the largest single foreign direct investment (FDI) in India’s port sector to date. The terminal was completed ahead of schedule, according to JNPA Chairman Unmesh Wagh.

Dignitaries present at the virtual event included Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shantanu Thakur, PSA India Managing Director Gobu Selliaya, and various elected officials.

Wagh highlighted the expansion's impact, stating that Maharashtra has reclaimed leadership in the maritime sector. He added that the planned Vadhavan Port in Palghar will further elevate the state’s position, potentially placing it among the world’s top 10 ports once operational.

Chief Minister Fadnavis praised the collaboration between JNPA and PSA, calling it a step toward Maharashtra’s global maritime prominence.

Union Minister Shantanu Thakur underlined the strategic importance of the on-dock rail yard, which connects directly to 63 inland container depots across India, helping reduce transit time and ease road congestion. He also emphasised the integration of renewable energy-powered cranes and noted the upcoming India-Singapore memorandum of understanding to establish a green and digital shipping corridor.

This development stands as a symbol of India’s growing appeal as a destination for global investment in critical infrastructure and sustainable port operations.