Mumbai Port Targets 80 MT Cargo in FY27, Plans ₹18,000-Crore Expansion Drive

MbPA Chairperson M Angamuthu said the port is positioning itself as a specialised maritime hub that complements rather than competes with the nearby Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority.      “Mumbai Port Authority and JNPA are complementary national maritime assets rather than rivals,” Angamuthu said, adding that the port has strengthened its position in liquid bulk cargo, iron and steel exports, project cargo, automobile exports, bunkering, ship repair and coastal shipping.

Mumbai Port recorded its highest-ever cargo throughput of 75.15 MT in FY26, accounting for 8.22 per cent of traffic among India’s major ports.

Liquid bulk cargo, including crude oil, petroleum products, chemicals and LPG, remained the dominant cargo segment. Coastal shipping contributed 10.48 per cent of total traffic, while automobile exports reached 80,986 units. Project cargo, fertilisers, agri-commodities and break-bulk cargo also emerged as key growth drivers.

The port aims to handle 85 MT of cargo by FY28, supported by rising liquid bulk volumes, project imports, automobile exports and increased anchorage operations.

To support future growth, MbPA plans investments of ₹15,000–18,000 crore over the next few years in mechanisation, capacity expansion and sustainable infrastructure.      Among the major projects is the ₹800-crore sixth oil berth at Jawahar Dweep, expected to add 22 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of capacity. Additional investments include approximately ₹3,000 crore in crude tankage by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and ₹1,000 crore by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited.      At Pir Pau, the port is developing a new 2-MTPA fourth chemical berth along with additional storage facilities. It is also modernising 22 berths at Indira Dock through private-sector-led mechanisation to improve productivity and vessel turnaround times.

Beyond cargo operations, Mumbai Port is advancing large-scale waterfront development projects aimed at transforming the city’s eastern waterfront.

The plans include an ₹877-crore international marina and a broader ₹22,672-crore eastern waterfront redevelopment programme, featuring a proposed ₹5,500-crore convention centre.

Of the port’s nearly 956-hectare landholding along Mumbai’s eastern waterfront, around 253 hectares have been identified for redevelopment. About 193 hectares will be used for public infrastructure such as promenades, roads, gardens and heritage spaces, while 60 hectares have been earmarked for commercial and mixed-use developments.      The New Sewri warehouse site, benefiting from connectivity through the Atal Setu, is also being evaluated for monetisation through lease or public-private partnership models.      MbPA reported an operating income of approximately ₹2,806 crore and total income of ₹3,319 crore in FY26. The port generated an operating surplus of nearly ₹1,731 crore, maintaining a cost per tonne of around ₹143 and an operating ratio of 38.31 per cent.      According to Angamuthu, the figures reflect the port’s strong financial health, efficient cost management and capacity to fund future expansion projects.        On the development of the proposed Vadhvan Port, Angamuthu said the new mega port would complement Mumbai Port’s operations rather than compete with them.      While Vadhvan is being developed as a major container hub linked to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), Mumbai Port will continue to focus on liquid cargo, bulk commodities, coastal shipping and maritime services.      With India’s total port throughput projected to increase from about 855 MT currently to more than 2,000 MT by 2047, Angamuthu said there would be sufficient demand to support multiple major ports in Maharashtra while creating new feeder and hinterland opportunities across the region.