India’s Largest Container Terminal Inaugurated At JNPA

India inaugurated the second phase of the Bharat Mumbai Container Terminal (BMCT) at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) on September 4, 2025.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong joined the ceremony virtually, which officials said marked the largest single foreign direct investment (FDI) in India’s port sector.

The expansion has doubled BMCT’s handling capacity from 2.4 million TEUs to 4.8 million TEUs, making it the country’s largest standalone container terminal. With this expansion, JNPA’s total capacity has crossed 10 million TEUs, making it the first Indian port to reach this milestone.

The ₹7,915-crore project was developed through a 30-year public-private partnership between JNPA and PSA International, Singapore’s global port operator. PSA said the $1.3 billion investment is its largest in India so far.

The company has been operating in India since 1998, running container terminals in Mumbai and Chennai and container freight stations in Mumbai and Mundra through its subsidiary PSA Ameya. It also collaborates with its affiliate supply chain business, PSA BDP.

BMCT is equipped with a 2,000-metre quay and deep draft berths designed to handle some of the world’s largest container vessels with a carrying capacity of up to 18,000 TEUs. The facility has 24 ship-to-shore cranes, 72 rubber-tyred gantry cranes, and several rail-mounted gantry cranes to speed up cargo movement.

JNPA chairman Unmesh Wagh said the project was completed ahead of schedule and added that JNPA has now become India’s largest container port.

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis congratulated JNPA and PSA on their collaboration. He said the state is now the number one cargo handler in India and added that once Vadhavan Port is operational, Maharashtra will join the ranks of the world’s top 10 ports.

Union minister of state for ports, shipping and waterways Shantanu Thakur emphasised that the use of renewable-powered cranes at the terminal and the planned memorandum of understanding between India and Singapore for a “green and digital shipping corridor” demonstrate India’s commitment to sustainability.

References: Hindustan Times, TOI

Source: Maritime Shipping News