The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways announced two significant projects at Kandla Port, with a combined investment of Rs 570 billion. These include a Rs 300 billion mega shipbuilding and repair facility and a Rs 270 billion cargo terminal outside Kandla Creek, which will boost the port's capacity by 135 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). The shipbuilding facility will manufacture large vessels, such as Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) with capacities of up to 3,20,000 deadweight tonnes (DWT). It will have the capacity to produce 32 new ships and repair 50 old vessels annually. Spanning over 8,000 acres, the facility will also house a marina, fishing harbour, townships, and a marine industrial cluster, fostering ancillary manufacturing and assembly units. Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal emphasised the strategic importance of these projects, stating that enhancing port infrastructure is essential to driving economic development. The new cargo terminal outside Kandla Creek will feature modern equipment and evacuation systems, allowing the segregation of dry and liquid cargo. This restructuring will enable Kandla to focus on liquid cargo, reducing tanker vessel wait times and improving turnaround efficiency. The Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) is also advancing other initiatives to enhance Kandla’s capacity. A new mega cargo terminal with a capacity of 2.19 million TEU and a multi-cargo terminal at Tuna Tekra are under development, adding 18.33 MTPA to the port’s capacity. Additionally, three new oil jetties, capable of handling 10 MTPA, and a single buoy mooring with two product jetties at Vadinar are in progress, increasing liquid cargo handling by 24.5 MTPA. A ship repair facility at Vadinar, designed to service 32 vessels annually, is also under consideration. These developments aim to position Kandla as a critical hub for maritime trade and strengthen India's port infrastructure. (The Hindu)