New Mangalore Port to initiate three new projects under Prime Minister (PM) Gati Shakti plan. Due to the semi-mechanised handling of containers, there was a requirement for the boost of the port capacity in managing containers. Mechanised handling of containers at berth no 14 will meet this requirement and give growth to the business environment of the hinterland of Karnataka. New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) has inked a deal with JSW Infrastructure Limited to build and operate a container terminal on the public-private partnership (PPP) model, which will produce a considerable number of direct and indirect employment. The project will produce employment for nearly 2,000 people. As NMPA is mechanising its only deep draft berth No 14 for running containers port is needed to have a deep draft berth to manage the dry and break bulk cargoes arriving via large ships of 60000 dwt and above. As it is vital to develop sufficient infrastructure so that the trade can be facilitated the Port offered to build a new berth no 17 for multi-purpose cargo handling. According to the detailed project report (DPR), berth number 17 is likely to manage131 vessels for different types of bulk cargo and generate a total tonnage of 4.73 mt per annum. The third project under PM Gati Shakti is the construction of the fishing harbor at Kulai. Anticipated to boost the fish and crustacean supplies to domestic and foreign markets, the port project will employ 2,720 sea-going fishermen, and 1,280 persons in shore-based establishments and allied industries. It will decongest the over-crowded old fishing harbour at Mangaluru, and further will provide a safe sanctuary for fishing boats, especially during the monsoon and rough sea conditions. Image Source Also read: Mangalore port's container terminal to begin operations by March-end