Global ports operator DP World is set to invest $510 million in the development and operation of a new mega-container terminal in the Indian state of Gujarat. This investment is part of the concession agreement signed earlier this year with the Deendayal Port Authority. The new port, located at Tuna-Tekra in Kandla, will have an annual capacity of 2.19 million TEU (20-foot equivalent units), enabling DP World to expand its presence in India, the world’s third-largest economy.
The Deendayal Port Authority granted the concession for the terminal to Hindustan Infralog Private, a joint venture between DP World and India’s government-backed National Investment and Infrastructure Fund.
Sultan bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and Chief Executive of DP World expressed the significance of this investment, stating that it will “deliver trade opportunities by connecting northern, western, and central India with global markets, thereby driving value for all our stakeholders.” He emphasized India’s potential as a key opportunity landscape for DP World.
The project, expected to be completed by 2027, will involve the construction of the terminal near the existing Deendayal Port through a public-private partnership model. The terminal will feature a 1,100-meter berth capable of handling next-generation vessels carrying over 18,000 TEUs. As part of the concession agreement, the berth can be extended to 1,375 meters.
The Tuna-Tekra mega-terminal will also be seamlessly integrated into a network of roads, railways, and dedicated freight corridors, effectively addressing the growing demand for logistics solutions.
S.K. Mehta, Chairman of the Deendayal Port Authority, highlighted the terminal’s significance, stating that it will be “one of the largest container terminals to be set up in the country.” It is expected to enhance port productivity, and cargo-handling capacity, reduce congestion, and drive trade efficiencies.
The global container throughput is predicted to increase to 932 million TEUs by 2025, up from 858 million TEUs in 2021, as per maritime research and consulting services firm Drewry.
DP World recently announced plans to add approximately 3 million TEUs of container-handling capacity by the end of the year to meet the growing demand in key trade markets, solidifying its position as a leading global port operator.
With the addition of the Tuna-Tekra mega-container terminal, DP World will have a combined container-handling capacity of 8.19 million TEUs across India, further strengthening its presence in this vital market.
