Capacity expansion at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, Mumbai, to cross 10 million TEUs by 2027

JNPA in Mumbai aims to become a top global port by 2027 with capacity expansion projects worth ₹2,000 crore.

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) in Mumbai is set to become India’s first port to enter top global ports with 10 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) by 2027, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal said on Tuesday after launching projects worth nearly ₹2,000 crore towards expanding capacity at the JNP Port. He also launched one solar powered boat, two indigenously developed 70T tugs and three fire Tenders meant to boost the safety and efficiency of the port.

In 2024, the port handled highest ever container volume of 7.05 million TEUs, performing at more than 90% capacity. It had an annual growth of 11% year-on-year last year as compared to the previous calendar year. “With the commissioning of the second phase of Bharat Mumbai Container Terminal, it will add another 2.4 million TEUs to JNPA’s total capacity. The upgradation of Nhava Sheva Freeport Terminal in 2025 is also likely to add capacity to the port,” Mr. Sonowal said. Based on current growth projections, the container handling capacity is expected to reach 10.4 million TEUs from the current 7.6 million TEUs, he stated.

Several memoranda of Understanding were also signed during the event for the development of the Vadhavan Port Project. A MoU between Vadhvan Port Project Limited (VPPL) and Reliance Industries Limited allocates Liquid Jetty along with 50 acres of land at Vadhavan port under PPP model. This investment is estimated at ₹645 crore and is likely to be commence by 2030.

Another MoU between VPPL and Dr. Balasaheb Kokan Krishi Vidyapeeth Dapoli (DBKKVD) was signed for development and implementing integrated agricultural and horticultural plan for shortlisted villages in Dahanu and Palghar in and around Vadhavan.

Further, VPPL and HUDCO have established a working partnership and HUDCO has committed to providing funding of up to ₹25,000 crore for the development of new ports and public-private partnership projects. This strategic alliance leverages VPPL’s expertise in implementing large-scale infrastructure projects and HUDCO’s financial acumen to deliver impactful solutions in the infrastructure domain, the Shipping ministry said in a statement.

As part of the ₹2,000 crore capacity enhancement projects at JNPA, Mr. Sonowal launched the development of a state-of-the-art Agro processing facility with an investment of ₹284 crore spanning 27 acres within the port complex, the one-of-its-kind facility is designed to handle 1.2 million tonnes of cargo annually and will offer comprehensive services including processing, sorting, packing, and laboratory facilities to ensure compliance with food safety and trade regulations, the Ministry stated.

Another MoU was signed for the setting up of a warehousing facility in the Port area under JNPA’s initiative to monetise vacant land parcels along with capacity development. An investment of ₹300 crore is being fixed for the development of these ambient and temperature controlled warehousing and CFS facilities and will generate 1,20,000 TEU’s annually.