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The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) is set to initiate the tendering process for the initial stage of a proposed state-of-the-art greenfield port at Galathea Bay in Great Nicobar Island, with an estimated investment of Rs 18,000 crore, within the next 30-40 days.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal revealed that the government has received expressions of interest (EoIs) from 11 companies for the ambitious Rs 41,000-crore international transhipment port project. The envisioned port aims to boast a substantial capacity, capable of handling 16 million containers annually. The first operational phase, scheduled for commissioning by 2028 at an estimated cost of Rs 18,000 crore, is anticipated to facilitate the handling of over four million containers.
Positioned strategically between the significant trans-shipment ports of Singapore and Colombo on the international sea trade route, the Galathea Bay greenfield port is poised to serve as a feeder to these key ports. Moreover, it is set to function as a trans-shipment hub for cargo from Bangladesh and Myanmar. The collaborative effort to develop this port will adopt a public-private partnership (PPP) model, specifically targeting international container trans-shipment activities.
The initial phase's development is slated to commence in the next three months, featuring a capacity for four million twenty equivalent units (TEUs) and a deep draft exceeding 20 meters, allowing accessibility for larger vessels. All prerequisites for the project, including the detailed project report (DPR), necessary clearances, and an in-principle approval from the Finance Ministry, are in place. The initial phase will include the construction of breakwaters, dredging, reclamation, berths, storage areas, buildings, utilities, equipment procurement, and the establishment of the port colony. The Shipping Ministry will adopt a landlord model for core infrastructure development, with a target completion date of 2028.
Subsequent to the successful completion of Phase-I, Phase-II will be initiated based on demand assessment, with separate tenders for Phase-II expected to be floated. There is an envisaged maximum gap of seven years between the two phases, though adjustments may be made based on demand fluctuations.
News by Rahul Yelligetti
