Dredging work is expected to start in Mumbai port in mid-October. The Mumbai Port Authority has awarded Van Oord Dredging and Marine Contractors the dredging contract for maintenance of dredging of port berths.
Currently, the draft limits, coupled with other infrastructure issues prevent bigger ships from calling at Mumbai Port. A $300-million offshore container terminal project, which is scheduled for completion by the end of 2014, will enable the port to handle ships of up to 6,000 20-foot-equivalent units.
The offshore terminal will offer an estimated annual throughput capacity of 800,000 TEUs in the first phase. The move follows vigorous efforts by the Mumbai-Nhava Sheva Ship Agents’ Association, which has been spearheading the cause of port users.