Delta Infralogistics (Worldwide), a stevedoring firm based in Mangalore, has been awarded a 30-year contract to operate and maintain two berths at Mormugao Port on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis. The Mormugao Port Authority, a state-owned entity, granted the contract after Delta Infralogistics (Worldwide) quoted a royalty of Rs. 126.55 per metric ton in the tender.
This move is seen as a positive development for India’s port privatisation program, as it may encourage other stevedoring companies to participate in PPP initiatives. The project falls under the National Monetization Pipeline (NMP) and aims to privatise operational infrastructure assets like port terminals.
Delta Infralogistics (Worldwide) will need to invest around Rs.130 crore in equipment for cargo handling and is also obligated to replace cargo handling cranes after 15 years, requiring additional investments. The changes in qualification rules for the tender have made it more inclusive. Stevedores are actively seeking participation in privatisation tenders issued by major port authorities, but they have concerns regarding PPP cargo operators being allowed to handle multiple commodities, replacing the previous single-commodity practice.
