Gandhar Refinery and JNPA collaborate on Vadhvan port growth

Gandhar Oil Refinery (India) Ltd. has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA). The MoU concerns potential collaboration for the development of a terminal at the upcoming Vadhvan Port.

The terminal is expected to be designed for handling container, bulk, and liquid cargo. Apart from cargo management, the plan includes building infrastructure to support marine services and intermodal connectivity. It will also involve setting up IT systems and digital tools for operations.

The company has estimated an investment of approximately ₹1,000 crore for the project. If it moves forward, development work is expected to begin ahead of an operational start in 2030. The MoU does not confirm participation. The agreement is non-binding and the actual execution will depend on the outcome of a transparent competitive bidding process. If Gandhar Oil’s bid is successful, a binding agreement will be signed later.

The proposed project includes infrastructure development beyond the physical terminal. It mentions plans for manpower training and skill development to support operational requirements at the site. IT infrastructure will also be a focus, alongside solutions for efficient cargo handling. The MoU is Gandhar Oil’s initial interest in the Vadhvan Port project. At present, the agreement is not binding, and further developments will depend on the competitive bidding process. The project, if awarded, is expected to begin operations in 2030.