With the growth in container handling at New Mangalore Port (NMP) in Mangaluru over the past few years, stakeholders are now focusing on strengthening other infrastructure in the region. After JSW Infrastructure operationalized a mechanized container terminal at NMP in April 2022, it handled 1.65 lakh TEUs of containers in 2022 23 (as against 1.52 lakh TEUs in 2021-22). During the first quarter of 2023-24, the port handled 47,036 TEUs (37,581TEUs in Q1 of 2022-23), recording a growth of 25.15per cent.
The development of infrastructure such as container freight stations (CFS) plays an important role in a logistic ecosystem that is centered on containers. Apart from enhancing container handling capabilities at the port, CFS also benefits the supply chain. At least two CFSs, including one in the private sector, are being planned in Mangaluru. In June, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) issued a letter of intent to Mangaluru-based Delta infra-logistics (Worldwide) Ltd to set up a CFS in Mangaluru within a year. The New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA), too, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the CWC and Sagar-mala to develop a CFS-cun1-warehousing facility at NMP through a special purpose vehicle.
