Copyright newskarnataka
MANGALURU: The New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) has signed 18 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) worth a total of ₹52,599 crore, marking a significant boost to investment on India’s west coast. The agreements were inked with major industry players including MRPL, Aegis Vopak, Reliance, HPCL, GMPL, and IPRCL, during the ongoing India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai. Focus on sustainable PPP models During the Karnataka Session on “Exploring PPP Synergies for a Sustainable Blue Economy”, Dr A V Ramana, Chairman of NMPA, highlighted how Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models have reshaped India’s port ecosystem through innovation, operational efficiency, and sustainability. Dr Ramana showcased several of NMPA’s successful PPP ventures, including mechanised cargo terminals and a multi-specialty hospital built under the PPP model — the first of its kind among Indian ports. “These partnerships have driven technology-driven growth while ensuring sustainability remains central to NMPA’s strategy,” he said. Spotlight on cruise tourism and digitalisation Later, while chairing a session on “Passenger Experience, Sustainability & Policy Framework” under the Cruise Tourism segment, Dr Ramana stressed the need to enhance India’s cruise tourism infrastructure. He called for seamless passenger experiences, digitalisation of port operations, shore-power integration, and the promotion of green tourism initiatives to strengthen India’s maritime economy. He also noted that cruise tourism represents a growing frontier for Indian ports and emphasised collaborative frameworks between private operators and government bodies to drive long-term growth. Karnataka minister lauds NMPA’s growth During his visit to the NMPA Pavilion, Karnataka State Port Minister Mankal Vaidya commended NMPA’s leadership under Dr Ramana, observing that the port’s profitability has quadrupled between 2019 and 2025. He said, “NMPA has set benchmarks for efficiency and sustainability, becoming one of India’s most profitable and forward-looking ports.” India Maritime Week continues in Mumbai The ongoing India Maritime Week 2025, which runs until October 31 in Mumbai, has attracted leading stakeholders from the global shipping and logistics industry. The event focuses on blue economy development, sustainable infrastructure, and India’s vision to become a global maritime hub.
