{"id":124079,"date":"2026-03-16T03:28:23","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T06:28:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shipping.einnews.com\/article\/899730769"},"modified":"2026-03-16T03:28:23","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T06:28:23","slug":"karnataka-govt-gets-eight-bids-for-privatisation-of-three-cargo-berths","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/2026\/03\/16\/karnataka-govt-gets-eight-bids-for-privatisation-of-three-cargo-berths\/","title":{"rendered":"Karnataka govt gets eight bids for privatisation of three cargo berths"},"content":{"rendered":"

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<img width="590" height="442" class="unveil" loading="eager" src="https:\/\/infra.economictimes.indiatimes.com\/images\/default.jpg" data-src="https:\/\/etimg.etb2bimg.com\/photo\/129599111.cms" captionrendered="1" alt="<\/p>\n

The timeline for bid submissions ended on March 9.<\/p>\n

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The timeline for bid submissions ended on March 9.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

MUMBAI: <\/b>Karnataka government has received eight initial bids, including from Chowgule Group<\/a>, for the privatisation of three cargo berths across key ports in the southern state.<\/p>\n

The timeline for bid submissions ended on March 9.<\/p>\n

The berths located at Karwar and two at Old Mangalore Port<\/a> in Mangalore (City Side and Bengre Side) are being offered to private operators under the Public-Private Partnership<\/a> (PPP) framework on a Renovate, Operate, Maintain and Transfer (ROMT) basis.<\/p>\n

Under the concession structure, the projects will be awarded to bidders quoting the highest royalty per tonne of cargo handled. The concession period is 30 years for the Old Mangalore Port<\/a> berths (Bengre Side and City Side) and 15 years for the Karwar Port berth.<\/p>\n

According to officials, the tender attracted strong interest from multiple bidders, with a total of eight bids received, reflecting growing confidence among private sector stakeholders in Karnataka\u2019s maritime infrastructure pipeline and regulatory environment.<\/p>\n

\u201cA major factor contributing to the strong response is the recent policy decision of the state government to permit iron ore handling through the Karnataka Maritime Board<\/a> ports, effectively lifting the 2010 ban on iron ore movement through ports,\u201d said a person briefed on the bid process. The policy restores significant cargo potential for the state\u2019s ports and provides regulatory clarity to private investors, thereby enhancing participation in the bidding process.<\/p>\n

Unlike other coastal states, Karnataka has had limited success in developing ports on PPP model.<\/p>\n

The lone success has been the award of a 30-year contract to JSW Infrastructure Ltd<\/a>, the port unit of Sajjan Jindal-led JSW Group, for developing and operating a port at Bhavikeri Keni village in Ankola taluka of Uttara Kannada district.<\/p>\n

The new port at Keni is estimated to cost \u20b94,118.84 crore to build. It will have a capacity to handle 30 million tonnes (mt) of cargo in the first phase which can be expanded to over 100 mt based on demand, making it one of the notable port transactions in India in recent years.<\/p>\n

The overwhelming bidder response for the three cargo berths validates the PPP strategy of the Karnataka government. \u201cThese berths will drive efficiency, sustainability and positive economic ripple effects across coastal Karnataka,\u201d the person mentioned earlier said.<\/p>\n

The strong participation aligns with Karnataka\u2019s broader strategy to expand cargo handling capacity, promote coastal shipping, and unlock the economic potential of its ports through greater private sector participation.<\/p>\n

Officials indicated that bid evaluations will be completed shortly, positioning these assets as important gateways for the state\u2019s cargo-rich hinterland.<\/p>\n

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