The Maharashtra Cabinet on Tuesday approved the changes in the Maharashtra Maritime Development Policy of 2016, increasing the period of concession agreement for greenfield ports and multi-purpose jetties to 50 years from 35 now.

Multi-purpose jetties have also been allowed to handle Exim cargo.

Maharashtra has the second-longest coastline among maritime States with two major and 48 minor ports. Currently, only 12 minor ports handle cargo. Therefore, the policy has highlighted the opportunities for further improvement of maritime infrastructure.

A press statement issued by the Chief Minister’s office said greenfield ports and multi-purpose jetty developers will have to make 100 per cent capital investment and handle 50 per cent cargo in the first 35 years.

Concession agreements

For developers of shipyards, the period of the concessional agreement has been increased to 30 years from 10 years now. In the first 21 years of the agreement, the developers will have to make 100 per cent capital investment and reach 50 per cent target of shipbuilding and repairs, the statement said.

For jetties owned by the Maharashtra Maritime Board, the concessional agreement period has doubled to 30 years.

The developers of such jetties will have to handle 50 per cent cargo volume in the first 15 years. Such jetties will also be able to handle passenger and Ro-Ro services, sea training and oceanic research, the statement said.

In the updated policy, the nomenclature of the multi-purpose jetty has been changed to coastal berth for those who handle cargo for coastal shipping.

For developing marine infrastructure on government land and the intertidal zone, the developer would be selected based on competitive bidding or through the Swiss challenge method, the statement added.

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW