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MORMUGAO PORT TRUST

Mormugao Port is a Major Port on the West Coast of India that has completed 125 years of
service to the nations maritime trade. It is located in the state of Goa at latitude of 15 25 N
and longitude of 73 47 E between the Major Ports of New Mangalore and Mumbai. The
Port serves the geographical regions of Goa, Karnataka and parts of Maharastra and Andhra
Pradesh. Major commodities that are being handled at the Port are Coal, Iron Ore, POL and
general cargo items.
Because of the proximity of the Port with various mining regions in Goa, the Port assumed
the role of a premier Iron Ore exporting port of the country. However, the requirement of coal
from various steel industries and power generating units have made it an attractive and cost
effective destination for coal imports and steel exports. Although recently due to the mining
ban imposed in the state, there has been a decline in the export of Iron ore from Mormugao
Port.
The Port has 7 cargo handling berths of which two are dedicated coal berths, one dedicated
iron ore berth and a dedicated POL berth and the remaining general cargo berths. Apart from
these 7 berths, there is also a dedicated berth for cruise vessels and a non-cargo berth which is
proposed to be earmarked for the exclusive use of Navy and Coast Guard and 6 numbers
Mooring Dolphins. There is 6.0 km of entrance channel with the depth of outer channel being
14.40 m and that of the inner channel being 14.10 m. The Port has a total land area of 530
acres (approx.).

Layout of Mormugao Port

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History of Mormugao Port Trust

The Mormugao port was commissioned in 1888, which back then comprised of 3 berths
along with a breakwater having a length of 358 meters. As the years passed, the infrastructure
slowly kept growing. By 1922, Berth no. 4 and 5 were built and the breakwater was extended
to its present length of 522.40 meters. Furthermore a mole of 270 meters was added.
With the emergence of mining as a major industry in Goa, a Master Plan was evolved by the
Portuguese for the development of Mormugao Port as an iron ore terminal, envisaging
dedicated berth fitted with Mechanical Ore Loading Plants, provided and financed by
various iron ore exporters. In accordance with this, in 1959 M/s Chowgule & Co. Pvt. Ltd.,
was permitted by the Portuguese government to set up Asias very first Mechanical Ore
Handling Plant at Berth No.6, with a capacity of 1000 tph. Berth 7 was constructed as an
addition to it.
From 1948 onwards the iron ore traffic gained importance. The Japanese were rebuilding
their nation and Goan iron ore was fated to play a key role in the Japanese industrial
renaissance. Japan preferred Goan Iron ore for its expanding steel industry on account of
price consideration and other logistics. The Port of Mormugao hence was poised for a
dramatic growth.
The exploitation of iron ore mines in Goa on a commercial scale since 1947, brought about
revolutionary changes in the pattern of Mormugao Port traffic. The level of traffic at the port
rose to over 2.78 lakhs tones in the year 1953. In the years that followed, the traffic grew by
leaps and bounds reaching the mark of 6.4 lakh to 14.8 million tonnes in 1973-74.
The Liberation of Goa on December 19, 1961 marked the end of an epoch in Goan history.
Mormugao Port, went through a fair amount of change as the emphasis shifted to
development of infrastructure. A couple of years after liberation, the port was delinked from
the Railway management. The main railway section from Vasco da Gama to the border of
Goa was transferred to the Southern Railways. The Port however, operated its own railway
system between Vasco da Gama interchange point and the harbour area.
The declaration of Mormugao as a Major Port in 1964 was a milestone in the records of its
history as it joined the ranks of the countrys ten major Ports. This helped the port
administration to embark upon a sustained development programme as its newly formed
Board of Trustees was empowered to take major decisions financial or otherwise.
In 1965 therefore, a Perspective Plan was drawn up by a reputed firm of consulting engineers,
seeking to develop Mormugao Port systematically for providing deep waters and high
capacity loading, particularly in relation to iron ore exports, which needed to be competitive
in the international arena by reducing the transportation cost.

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As a first step in that direction, a 20-year perspective plan for the port development was
prepared in February 1965, by the consulting engineering firm of Randal, Palmer & Tritton.
Thereafter, in February 1968, HOWE (India) Pvt. Ltd. were appointed to prepare the design
study for the establishment of a modern mechanical ore handling facility for the port within
the framework of the perspective plan.
As a follow-up on the report by HOWE (India) Pvt. Ltd. a mechanized ore handling facility
for receiving, stockpiling, reclaiming, weighing, sampling, and ship-loading of 12 million
tones of iron ore annually was installed and commissioned in 1979.The rated loading capacity
of the ore handling system was of the order of 8,000 tones per hour. The dredging of the
channel and berths was carried out to permit the loading of 60,000 dwt. ore carriers initially.
Barge unloaders and rail wagon tippers were provided for quicker and more efficient
handling of incoming ore.
Major developments of the Port were taken up only after it became a Major Port. A number of
developmental projects were implemented under the various Five Year Plans of the
Government of India. Consequently, a dedicated mineral oil berth, berth No. 8 was
constructed in 1976. Later on as the general cargo traffic was gradually picking up in the
Port, a number of schemes were implemented with a view to augment the general cargo
handling facilities at the Port. Two multi-purpose general cargo berths, berth No.10 and No.
11 having draft of 11.00 mts and 12.50 mts were constructed and commissioned in 1985 and
1994 respectively.
Meanwhile the Mechanical Ore Handling Plant installed in 1959 at Berth No. 6 was decommissioned in 1992 due to obsolesce. The age old berths 1 to 3 were leased out to a private
company, Western India Shipyard Ltd, for installing a modern ship repair facility, which was
commissioned in 1995.
In 1997, the metre gauge railway of the Port linking to the south Central Railway was
converted to broad gauge. By this, the Mormugao Port is now accessible for any part of the
country through the broad gauge railway system.

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Facilities
Berths & Mooring Dolphins
The present berthing facilities available at the Port are as follows:
Berth No.

1,2 & 3

Type of Berth

Leased to WISL for

Ship repairs facilities

Designed/
depth(mts.)

Quay
length
(mts.)

Maximum size of Vessel

that can be accommodated
Length
overall
(mts.)

DWT
approx

8.0

194

190

Non-cargo berth

General Cargo

13.10

210

200

80,000

General Cargo

14.10

240

240

80,000

Leased to AMPTPL

14.5

300

280

1,60,000

Liquid Bulk

13.10

260

1,00,000

Ore

14.10

335

1,60,000

50
222

Remarks

Non Cargo Ships

Coal cargo

MOHP

357.5*
10

General Cargo

13.10

250

215

55,000

11

General Cargo

13.10

270

225

65,000

Non-Cargo Berth

9.50

450

Cruise Ships

Mole Berth (along the

mole)

9.50

250

200

Lease to Navy
and Coastguards

Between

Mooring Dolphins
no.1&2

14.10

340

225

70,000

Between

Mooring Dolphins
no.2&3

14.10

340

225

70,000

Between

Mooring Dolphins
no.3&4

14.10

340

225

70,000

Between

Mooring Dolphins
no.4&5

14.10

340

225

70,000

Between

Mooring Dolphins
no.5&6

14.10

340

225

70,000

New cruise Terminal

(along the break water)

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Individual Berth Details:

Sr.
No.
1
2

Berths

Cargo
handled

Berth
No.1, 2 &

Dry Dock
Shipyard

Berth No.4

Non Cargo
General
cargo
1.5 million
tonne
Coal handing
7.5 million
tonne

Berth No.5

Berth No.6

Berth No.7

Coal handling 5
million tonne

Berth No.8

Liquid bulk 1
million tonne

Berth No.9

Iron Ore
handling
12.05 million
tonne

Berth
No.10 & 11
In line with
one another

General
cargo

Break water
Berth/Cruise
berth

Passenger
vessels

Mole berth

Coast
Guard/Naval
vessel

10

Status of infrastructure & equipment

Ship repairs dock operated by M/s. WISL
For berthing of non cargo vessels up to
LOA of194 mtrs.
Draft of 7.8 mtrs. with no backup
land area.
Privately operated by M/s. SWPL for export of their
in-house steel products on BOOT basis with
LOA of 190 mtrs
DraftbyofM/s.
13.00
mtrs.on BOOT basis
Privately operated
SWPL
with LOA of 225 mtrs and
Draft of 14.00 mtrs.
having 3 nos. HMC
Privately operated by M/s. AMPTPL on DBFOT basis
with LOA of 300 mtrs and
Draft of 14.00 mtrs.
having 2 nos. HMC
Dedicated berth for handling liquid cargo. Separate
equipments/pipelines installed for handling up to the
storage location/tanks.
LOA is 260 mtrs
Draft of 13.00 mtrs
Dedicated berth for handling iron ore through
mechanized ore handling plant with
LOA of 335 mtrs.
Draft of 14.10 mtrs.
Having 02 nos. shiploaders , 03
nos. stackers, 02 reclaimers,
01 no. CBU, 8 barge unloaders.
Berth no.10 having
LOA of 225 mtrs.
Draft of 13.10 and
Berth no.11 having
LOA of 225 mtrs and
Draft of 13.1 mtrs.
Equipped with 01 HMC, 03 covered sheds open area
for storage of general cargo.
Cargo handled such as Woodchips, Granite, Bauxite,
Steel Coils, Fertilisers, container vessels etc. are
Dedicated to Cruise vessels with
LOA of 260 mtrs.
Draft 8.5 mtrs.
Dedicated to Indian Navy and Coast Guard vessels on
lease basis

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Cargo Handling & Storage Facilities

Following are the cargo handling equipments and storage facilities provided at MPT Port:

Cargo Handling Equipments for General Cargo/Containers

Sr.No
1

Description

Nos.
2

Reach stacker

Capacity
40 Tonnes
each

Plug points of suitable capacity to cater to the reefer

84

440 V

1400 HP

containers
3

Locomotive

Storage facilities for General Cargo/Containers

Description

No. of

Area (m2)

Plots/Sheds

Storage Capacity
(Tonnes)

COVERED STORAGE
Owned by the Port

7 sheds

Owned by Others: FCI/CWC

4 sheds

Total Covered storage

11 sheds

24935.35

47497.26

14480

22216

39415.35

69713.26

14823

11830.95(489 ground
slot/862 TEUs)

199667

400000

214490

411830.95

OPEN STORAGE
For Containers
Open Storage for other
cargo
Total Open Storage

Tankage facility for LiquidCargo

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Sr.No.

1.

2.

Commodity

No. of
Tanks

Capacity
(in Kls)

IOC -Vasco

11

87113

HPCL Vasco

33700

ZIL Zaurinagar

27500

Ganesh Benzoplast- Sada

46000

13670

Ganesh Benzoplast- Sada

46000

IMC- Harbour (Port area)

1500

JRE (Port Area)

7800

ZIL- Zaurinagar

3000 MT

ZIL- Sada/Jetty

5000 MT

POL Product

Phosphoric Acid
ZIL- Zaurinagar

3.

4.

Caustic Soda Molasses & other liquids

Ammonia

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Harbour Data, Berths, Moorings & Anchorage Facilities

1. Approach Channel
Length of Outer Channel : 5.2.kms
Length of Inner Channel : 2.3 kms
Width of Channel : 250 m
Depth : 14.4 m to 13.1 m below chart datum
Turning Basins : 2 nos. of 480 m diameter
Tidal Range : Springs- 2.3 m/ Neaps-1.0m
2. Navigational Aids
The approach channel of Mormugao Port is marked by lighted
buoys in addition to other navigational aids prescribed in the
Indian Naval Hydrographic Chart nos. 2020, 2022 & 2078 and
B.A. Chart Nos. 492, 1509.
One Radio Beacon RACON works round-the-clock in all
weathers at Aguada Light House displaying two dashes and one
dot (.) on the ships radar in X-band.
3. Anchorage

The large roadstead to the West and the North-West of the

Harbour provides anchorage in stream for more than 20 ships
during the eight months fair season (October to May) and 8
ships can be accommodated inside the break water throughout
the year.

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STREAM LOADING, TRANSHIPPERS, PORT RAILWAY

FACILITIES
1. BULK LIQUID DISCHARGING FACILITIES
Specialized facilities are available at B.No.8 for
handling petroleum products and other liquid
cargoes like caustic soda, ammonia, molasses etc.
Phosphoric acid and petroleum products are handled
at general cargo berth nos.10 and 11.
2. PORT RAILWAY FACILITIES
The century old meter gauge railway system of the
port has been converted into Broad gauge and
commissioned in November 1997 with full fledged
reception and dispatch yard.
3. WATER SUPPLY
Water is supplied alongside berths directly from
shore facilities and in stream from a 200 tonne selfpropelled water barge. Water supply is regulated in
accordance with availability of main supply.
4. BUNKERING
Facilities are available to a limited extent for supply
of furnace oil, light diesel oil and high speed diesel
oil to vessels visiting the port and the berth with
prior arrangements with oil companies. Furnace oil
can be supplied through shore pipelines on Berth
Nos. 8 and 9. HSD can be supplied by trucks only.

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CRUISE TOURISM
No. of Cruise vessels Handled at Mormugao Port for the
Last 9 Financial Years.
Year

No. of Cruise
vessels

No. of
Passengers

No. of Crew

2007-2008

38

12997

11663

2008-2009

24

10878

6626

2009-2010

19

18684

10181

2010-2011

21

9371

5555

2011-2012

22

19650

9762

2012-2013

23

18054

9435

2013-2014

18

17397

8581

2014-2015

26

21084

9894

2015-2016

29

30867

13615

Up to
March 16

From the above data it is evident that Cruise tourism is

increasing with the increase in the number of Cruise ships and
Passengers coming to the port. Such Cruise vessels also help
in boosting the economy of the state and also create goodwill
about the place as high income tourists enter Goa and go to
different places to visit.

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Services Offered At Marmugao Port Trust

1. Vessel Traffic Management System
(VTMS)
In tune with the latest practices in ports
world-wide, Mormugao Port has
commissioned state of the art, all
weather, Vessel Traffic Management
System (VTMS) to provide a highly
sophisticated computerized radar & AIS
system for vessel traffic control and safety in the navigational channel
and other areas of port waters. A radar is installed above the VTMS
building from where all the movement of the vessels are tracked. It is at
this point where all the perquisites of entering the port are conveyed to
the vessel (like the pilot boarding, entry to the channel , etc.).
2. Pilotage
Pilotage is compulsory for inward and outward movement of ships and
movement between berths and mooring within the harbour. Pilotage
service is provided round-the-clock with prior advice to the Harbour
Master through agents. During monsoon season, pilotage is restricted to
day light hours only.In monsoon season Remote piloting method is used.
3. Tugs
Two VST Fire Fighting Tugs of 45 T Bollard pull
One Tug of 50 T Bollard pull
4. Flotilla
Three Launches for line handling, pilotage, survey, etc.
Two Self-propelled water barges.
One Dumb barge capable of handling mooring and channel buoys,
supplying 100 tonnes fresh water and receiving 50 cu.m.slops.
One security launch for patrolling.
5. Communications
Signal station situated on the north-west of the Mormugao Headland
functions round-the-clock with telephone service and VHF channel 16,
14, 12, 11 & 10 having the call sign GOA PORT.
Telefax n0: 0832 2520184,
Mobile Phone no: (91) 9822101853

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Some Facts about the Port:

1. MPT has registered a sterling performance registering a remarkable
growth of 25% in the financial year 2014-15 which is the highest
among all 12 Major Ports. The Port sector comprising of 12 major Ports
of India handled 581.26 Million Tons as compared to 555.49 MT
handled in 2013-14.
2. The Ports total income was Rs. 298.58 crores as against, income of
Rs.217.75 crores in 2013-14. Similarly, the total expenditure in the year
2014-15 was Rs.332.31 crores as against the expenditure of Rs. 323.43
crores in 2013-14, thereby incurring a net deficit of Rs.33.73 crores in
2014-15.
3. Due to consistent marketing efforts the Port Management could change its
image from mono commodity to multi commodity Port by attracting
various new cargos like wood chips, nickel, lime stone and Iron & Steel
products etc.
4. Mormugao Port has been given the status of a notified Port by Central
Government for import and export of pharmaceutical products. This has
facilitated 142% rise in pharmaceutical cargo over the last year at the
port and also resulted in increase in throughput.
5. The Port Connectivity Project of 4-lane road from Verna junction to
Varunapuri junction (13.10 Kms.) has been completed in May, 2004 and
is open for public use. The balance 5.20 Kms. road from Varunapuri
junction to Sada including fly-over connectivity to Gate No. 9 of the
Port from NH 17B has been handed over to Government of Goa. The
tripartite Agreement between NHAI, MPT and Government of Goa has
been signed on 02.11.2014.
6. In order to cater to the increased traffic and to facilitate handling of cape
size vessels, deepening of channel from (-)14.40 mtrs. to (-)19.80 mtrs is
envisaged. For capacity addition, in the first phase, development of Berth
No.8 & 9, Barge Berth and Mechanical Ore Handling Plant (MOHP for
general cargo berth, dry Port Project and development of offshore liquid
handling facility is in offing.
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7. Presently Containers at the Port are handled at Berth No. 10. With rise in
container traffic and shortage of operational area, the construction of the
Container Storage Yard is taken up with the assistance under the ASIDE
scheme of the Ministry of Commerce. The development of Container
Storage Yard is proposed to be executed in two phases. Out of which the
first phase has been completed in April, 2014.
8. The Port has plan to construct a world class cruise terminal building to
cater to the tourist needs for promotion of cruise tourism. Tendering work
for construction of cruise terminal building at Mormugao Harbour is in
progress. The project is scheduled for award in August, 2015. In the
financial year of 2015-2016, the Port handled 29cruise ships with 30,867
no. of passengers with an increase of 46% over the previous year.
9. The Port has been laying emphasis on upgrading skills of its officials and
keeping them abreast of latest developments, technology, techniques and
skills thus positively impacting port productivity. With a view to enhance
the Professional expertise, 1350 no. of officers and all categories of
employees/workers were given an equal opportunity to improve their
personal skills and upgrade their knowledge through various training
programmes.
10.Various measures are taken by the Mormugao Port Trust to ensure that
pollution due to handling of bulk cargo is brought under control and kept
below the prescribed levels. To measure the pollution level, monitoring of
AAQ by Continuous Ambient Air Monitoring Station at Port Institute is
being carried out.

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Upcoming Projects
1. Conversion of Berths 8, 9, barge berths and Mechanical Ore Handling Plant
(MOHP) for general cargo.
2. Construction of 4-lane Road NH-17B from chainage 13.1 Km to 18.3 Km.
3. Capital Dredging for Cape Size vessels from 14.10 mts to 19.50 mts.
4. Construction of fishing jetty at Vasco Bay.
5. Pollution Control and mitigation measures.
6. Signalling for Railway Yard.
7. Shifting & re-routing of pipelines from Berth no.8 to berth no.10.
8. Paving of areas behind berth no.10 & 11 under ASIDE Scheme.
9.

Construction of road and approaches to paved areas under ASIDE Scheme.

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