Reliance Commits ₹645 Cr for Vadhvan Port's Liquid Jetty: A Game-Changer in Indian Maritime

Palghar, Maharashtra: In a significant boost to India's maritime sector, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Vadhvan Port Project Limited (VPPL) to invest ₹645 crore for a dedicated liquid jetty and 50 acres at the upcoming Vadhvan Port. The development, set under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, is expected to commence operations by 2030.

Housing and Urban Development Corporation (Hudco) has further pledged ₹25,000 crore to fund new ports and PPP projects, reinforcing India’s coastal infrastructure.

Unmesh Wagh, chairperson of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and VPPL’s head, announced that the overall ₹76,220 crore project would be completed in 18 months. JNPA owns 74% equity in the project, with the Maharashtra Maritime Board holding the remainder.

India’s Largest Container Port by 2029

Once operational, the Vadhvan Port in Palghar will be India’s 13th major port, boasting a massive cargo-handling capacity of 298 million metric tonnes (MMT) annually, including 23.2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). The first phase of construction is expected to conclude by 2029.

A Landmark in India’s Maritime Ambitions

An all-weather greenfield port developed under the landlord model, Vadhvan promises to be a significant hub for container traffic, with projections of handling 10 million TEUs by 2027. It recently achieved a record container volume of 7.05 million TEUs in 2024, marking an annual growth of 11%.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who presided over the MoU signing, also launched capacity expansion projects worth ₹2,000 crore at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port.