The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NMDC Group PJSC for the development of the greenfield Vadhvan Port in Maharashtra’s Palghar district. Announced on 18 February, NMDC Group will invest Rs 210 billion in dredging, reclamation, and shore protection. The Rs 762 billion project is led by Vadhvan Port Project Ltd (VPPL), with JNPA holding a 74 per cent stake and the Maharashtra Maritime Board 26 per cent. NMDC, a global leader in marine dredging, aims to establish Vadhvan as a top-10 port, enhancing India’s trade, cargo handling and connectivity.Contact: Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA)Website:www.jnport.gov.inTel – 022 6616 5600Email – cma@jnport.gov.inDeendayal Port Authority Invites Bids for Shipbuilding ClusterDeendayal Port Authority, which operates Gujarat’s Kandla port, has invited bids to lease 2,000 acres for an integrated shipbuilding cluster on a 30-year term. This follows Budget measures aimed at boosting India’s shipbuilding industry. Bidders must have experience designing and constructing Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) class shipyards. The provisional reserve price is Rs 27,510 per acre annually, with the final price disclosed before bid opening. Successful bidders must secure clearances from environmental and regulatory bodies. The tender follows the Amended Land Policy Guidelines 2015 and directives from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.Contact: Deendayal Port Authority (DPA)Website: www.deendayalport.gov.in/en/ Tel – 02836 238 055India’s Port Capacity to Expand Sixfold by 2047India is set to increase its port capacity over six times to 10,000 million tonnes per annum by 2047, marking its most ambitious maritime infrastructure expansion. Speaking at the FICCI Maritime Conference 2025, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted a 47 per cent rise in cargo handling since 2014 and a doubling of port capacity to 1,630 MMT. Key projects include the Vadhavan Port in Maharashtra and the Galathea Bay transshipment hub. The sector targets $1 trillion in investments, with green hydrogen hubs planned at major ports. India also aims to lead ship recycling, enhance shipbuilding, and expand its global seafaring workforceContact: Ministsry of Ports, Shipping and WaterwaysWebsite: www.shipmin.gov.inTel – +91 23714938Email - shipping@gov.inDP World Mundra Achieves Record 1.42M TEUs DP World Mundra has achieved its highest-ever annual throughput of 1.42 million TEUs in 2024, reflecting an 11 per cent growth over the previous year. This milestone reinforces its role in Gujarat’s economy and India’s global trade network. In January alone, it handled 138,000 TEUs and 75 vessels, strengthening direct trade links across Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean. With a 632-m quay, deep-draft capacity, and dedicated rail connectivity, DP World Mundra ensures seamless cargo movement. Prioritising sustainability, it has electrified its fleet, reducing diesel consumption and carbon emissions, reinforcing its commitment to efficiency, safety, and environmentally responsible trade operations.Contact: DP World MundraWebsite: www.dpworld.com/india Tel –02838 288 274Email - secretarial@dpworld.com.Jogighopa in Assam Gets PM Gati Shakti Port to Boost Bhutan-Bangladesh TradeA modern waterways terminal has been inaugurated in Jogighopa, Assam, enhancing trade connectivity between India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. Developed under the PM Gati Shakti Master Plan, the terminal was launched by Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. Strategically located 90 km from Bhutan’s Gelephu, 100 km from Bangladesh, and 150 km from Guwahati, it serves as a key port under the India-Bangladesh Protocol Route. With a capacity of 1.1 million tonne annually, the port improves cargo movement, reduces transport costs, and strengthens regional trade. The launch saw MV Padma Navigation II ferrying 110 tonne of coal to Bangladesh.Contact: Ministsry of Ports, Shipping and WaterwaysWebsite: www.shipmin.gov.inTel – +91 23714938Email - shipping@gov.in