In an effort to attract containerships of up to 12,500 TEUs at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), India unveiled the details of the second phase of the deepening and widening project at the Mumbai Harbour Channel and JN Port Channel.

Under the USD 309.8 million project, the existing channel would be widened from the current 370 to 450 meters for straight reach, while its draft is set to be increased from 14 to 15 meters.

The project would also see the channel extended from the current 33.5 to 35.5 kilometers.

“The work is likely to be implemented by inviting global tenders and to be completed within 2 years after its award,” the officials informed.

Additionally, India’s government said that the entire project cost will be funded through internal resources of JN Port Trust (JNPT) with market borrowing, if necessary.

The present total capacity of the JNPT for container handling is 5 million TEUs. After the fourth terminal becomes operational, this capacity is expected to increase to 9.8 million TEUs.

“Considering the expansion of the container vessel sizes on the main trade routes, it is anticipated that vessels of more than 8,000-12,000 TEU size will call the JN Port,” the government said, adding that the port currently handles vessels with a capacity of up to 6,000 TEUs.