Mangalore-based stevedoring firm Delta Infralogistics (Worldwide) has secured the contract to operate and maintain two berths at the state-owned Mormugao Port in Goa under a 30-year public-private-partnership (PPP) arrangement. The Mormugao Port Authority awarded the contract to Delta Infralogistics (Worldwide) after the company submitted a bid quoting a royalty of Rs126.55 per metric ton (mt) in a recent tender. Delta Infralogistics (Worldwide) was the sole bidder for the operation and maintenance of Berths 10 and 11 at Mormugao Port.

This development, part of India's National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP), privatises operational infrastructure assets, including port terminals, through PPP initiatives. Berth 10 currently handles general cargo and Petroleum Oil and Lubricants (POL), while Berth 11 deals with general cargo, with a combined capacity of 6.4 mt. To fulfill the contract requirements, Delta Infralogistics (Worldwide) will invest approximately Rs 1.3 billion in cargo handling equipment and commit to replacing cargo handling cranes after 15 years, necessitating further investments.

The Mormugao Port Authority adjusted the qualification rules to encourage broader participation in the tender, enabling Delta Infralogistics (Worldwide) to apply, according to a government official. This successful bid result is anticipated to inspire other stevedoring companies to participate in India's port privatisation initiative, provided the tender terms remain favorable, say industry sources.