Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) Chairman Dr N Vinodkumar along with Dy Chairman G P Rai.
Photo Credits: The Goan
VASCO
Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) Chairman Dr N Vinodkumar on Monday outlined ambitious plans for the cruise terminal and privatisation of Berth 9 to enhance efficiency and service quality.
Addressing a gathering at the Annual Foundation Day function, Dr Vinodkumar also emphasised tapping solar energy and constructing a dome to mitigate pollution.
"We have multiple options for Berth 9 and we have multiple parties interested. We are considering the best option and very soon we will come with the tender and it will definitely be privatised soon,” said Dr Vinodkumar.
“This year, we have seen a 20% growth and our revenue has also increased but we need to build the pension corpus and we will be able to do it in next 5 years and the report can then run into profit. As the MPA charts its course forward, these developments promise to elevate its stature as a progressive and environmentally conscious port authority.”
The MPT chairman said the new cruise terminal should be fully ready by the end of the year.
“We will start operations by January next year. Goa is already a port of call and we need to upgrade it into a home port and for this, we need to have better infrastructure,” said Dr Vinodkumar. “The Cordelia Cruise, which is already operating at this port, has already ordered around 4-5 new ships and they have plans to have one ship stationed in Goa. This may happen in two years time but we have to upgrade our infrastructure to meet the requirements.”
“The domestic cruise and international cruise calls have improved and we have seen a rebound of the pre-pandemic traffic level this year and it will improve further in the coming years for sure," said Dr Vinodkumar.
Commenting on the new cargo, Dr N Vinodkumar said the Port did a 19% growth on new cargo.
"Last year, we did a total of 17.3 million tonnes and this year, we handled around 20.6 million tonnes which was the highest growth among the major ports. This was possible due to the coordination with Indian Railways who got iron ore into the port from North Karnataka and we will have more cargo identified.”
“In case the mining activity starts, that will be an additional stream of revenue and we are also looking to increase our revenue through cruise operations and leasing of our land to some private port.”
The MPA chairman said work on the dome to mitigate coal pollution has begun and is progressing very well.
“We have been informed that the work on the dome will be completed by January 2025 and that should put an end to the complaints of coal pollution,” he said.
As far as the port connectivity flyover is concerned, Dr Vinodkumar said the targeted date is June 30. “We are hoping to use this part of the flyover connectivity by August after which there will be no traffic moving from Vasco city.
He also informed that work on the solar plant has been awarded to a contractor through GEDA. “The work has been initiated and it could take up to 7-8 months for the project to get completed. After that, the 3 MW solar plant will be operational and definitely before the year end,” said Dr N Vinodkumar.
Dr Vinodkumar said the Mormugao Port was founded in 1885 and the first ship came into the port in April 1885.
“Since we did not know the exact date, we began doing research and further found out that the first ship SS Westbound sailed into the port on April 15,” said Dr N Vinodkumar. “We are now celebrating the Annual Foundation day today of the MPA on April 15 every year so that port employees can celebrate functions together. We also have awards for some best employees and we even awarded some pensioners who have contributed in a big way to the port in their times,” he said.
