Prime Minister of India and Prime Minister of Singapore virtually inaugurated Phase-II of the Bharat Mumbai Container Terminal (BMCT/PSA Mumbai) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), Navi Mumbai. The expansion, developed by Singapore’s PSA International, doubles PSA Mumbai’s annual handling capacity to 4.8 million TEUs, making it India’s largest container terminal. This marks the largest FDI from Singapore into India and strengthens bilateral maritime cooperation.
Key Highlights
- Capacity Expansion: Handling capacity doubled to 4.8 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units).
- Investment: Built at an investment of SGD 1.7 billion (~USD 1.3 billion) under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
- Scale: Spread across 200 hectares with 2,000 metres of continuous quay length, allowing simultaneous berthing of multiple mega-container vessels.
- Employment: Generated 1,500 skilled jobs (crane operators, logistics coordinators, etc.).
- FDI Milestone: Largest foreign direct investment from Singapore into India till date.
Connectivity and Trade Boost
- Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) Linkage:
- Six DFC-compatible rail tracks.
- Direct connection to 63+ Inland Container Depots (ICDs).
- Expected to significantly boost multimodal logistics efficiency once the Western DFC becomes fully operational.
- PM Gati Shakti Integration: Supports the National Master Plan for infrastructure by enhancing port connectivity and trade flow.
- Strategic Role: Reinforces India’s position as a global trade hub, catering to both domestic and international markets.
Sustainability Push
- Green Energy: Electrical equipment powered by renewable energy.
- Future Electrification: Diesel-powered assets to be progressively replaced with electric equipment.
- Green & Digital Shipping Corridors: India and Singapore to develop corridors enabling greener fuels, digital clearances, and efficient shipping.
Significance
- India’s Largest Container Terminal: BMCT now surpasses all other terminals in capacity.
- Trade Catalyst: Supports India’s growing trade volumes, particularly exports.
- Employment Generation: Creates skilled jobs, uplifting local workforce.
- Sustainability Leadership: Demonstrates India–Singapore’s shared vision for green maritime infrastructure.
- Strengthened Bilateral Relations: Maritime cooperation becomes a new pillar of India–Singapore partnership.
Key Facts:
Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT/JNPA):
- Established in 1989, located in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- Known as Nhava Sheva Port, India’s largest container handling port.
- Handles ~50% of India’s container cargo.
- First 100% Landlord Port under Major Port Authorities Act, 2021.
PSA International (Singapore):
- One of the world’s largest port operators.
- Operates ~60 terminals across 42 countries.
Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC):
- Western DFC: Dadri (Uttar Pradesh) → Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Maharashtra), ~1,506 km.
- Eastern DFC: Ludhiana (Punjab) → Sonnagar (Bihar), ~1,337 km.
India–Singapore Trade & Relations:
- Singapore is among India’s top FDI sources.
- Strong cooperation in maritime trade, fintech, defence, and sustainability.
TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit):
- Standard measure in containerized trade.
- 1 TEU = one standard 20-foot shipping container.