- A Global First for Indian Ports: Adani Ports positions Mundra among elite crude-handling hubs worldwide
- Energy Security Boost: Direct VLCC berthing reshapes crude logistics, cuts costs and risks
- Infrastructure that Delivers: World-class jetty connects sea to refinery through seamless pipeline network
NE BUSINESS BUREAU
MUNDRA, JAN 9
India marked a watershed moment in its maritime and energy infrastructure journey as Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) successfully berthed the country’s first-ever fully laden Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) at Mundra Port. With the docking of MT New Renown, carrying a massive cargo capacity of 3.3 lakh cubic metres, Mundra has become the first port in India capable of handling a fully laden VLCC directly at a berth.
This achievement places Mundra among a select group of global ports equipped with a dedicated jetty designed to berth VLCCs at full displacement—an engineering and operational capability available at only a handful of locations worldwide.
Operational Excellence Under Challenging Conditions
The berthing of MT New Renown was executed under demanding marine conditions, including strong currents, winds and complex sea states. The successful operation underscored the technical expertise, coordination and operational excellence of the APSEZ marine team and Mundra Port management, reinforcing the port’s reputation for handling complex, high-risk maritime operations.
A Landmark Shift in India’s Crude Logistics
The ability to berth fully laden VLCCs at maximum displacement marks a transformational shift in India’s crude oil logistics. Direct jetty operations enable safer, faster and more cost-efficient crude handling, eliminating the dependence on offshore Single Point Moorings (SPMs) or lightering operations traditionally required for vessels of this size.
This milestone strengthens APSEZ’s leadership in building future-ready, globally benchmarked port infrastructure aligned with India’s expanding energy and trade requirements.
Rare Global Capability, Strategic Advantage
Direct berthing of fully laden VLCCs demands extreme draft, displacement tolerance and advanced marine infrastructure. With Mundra achieving this capability, India’s largest commercial port now joins an exclusive league of global crude-handling hubs, enhancing India’s standing on the global maritime and energy map.
Strategic Energy and Economic Impact
A key differentiator of Mundra’s VLCC jetty is its seamless connectivity to the HPCL Rajasthan Refinery at Barmer through an approximately 489-kilometre crude oil pipeline. This direct sea-to-refinery linkage significantly strengthens:
- India’s energy security
- Efficiency of large-scale crude imports
- Supply chain resilience
- Regional economic growth across Gujarat and Rajasthan
India’s First-of-Its-Kind VLCC Jetty
The purpose-built VLCC jetty at Mundra represents a pioneering engineering feat with the following specifications:
- Jetty length: 400 metres
- Berth pocket depth: 25 metres
- Maximum acceptable LOA: 333 metres
- Maximum displacement: 3,60,000 metric tonnes
- Maximum draft: 21.6 metres
- Cargo handling:
- Two 20-inch crude oil loading arms
- Maximum discharge rate of 10,000–12,000 cubic metres per hour
- Marine infrastructure:
- Four breasting dolphins
- Six mooring dolphins with high-capacity hooks (up to 150 tonnes safe working load each)
- Advanced fender systems designed for ultra-large vessels
Mundra Port: India’s Infrastructure Powerhouse
APSEZ’s flagship Mundra Port, strategically located in the Gulf of Kutch, serves as a critical maritime gateway for northern and western India. The deep-water, all-weather port features:
- 27 operational berths and two Single Point Moorings
- Capability to handle dry bulk, break-bulk, project cargo, liquids, containers, automobiles and crude oil
- Accommodation for Cape-size vessels, VLCCs, Ultra Large Crude Carriers and Ultra Large Container Vessels
Mundra is also India’s largest container handling port and holds the country’s highest capacity for container traffic, import coal and overall commercial cargo. In 2024–25, it became the first Indian port to handle over 200 million metric tonnes of cargo in a single year, reinforcing its unmatched scale and operational leadership.
Global Recognition
Mundra Port has earned recognition in the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index for 2024 and 2025, reflecting its efficiency, reliability and adherence to global best practices.
