General Description
Location: Port of Mormugao is situated on the W coast, 200NM S of Mumbai (Bombay), on the NE side of Mormugao Headland.
General overview: The Port of Mormugao, operated by Mormugao Port Trust, is an open harbour protected by a breakwater and also by a mole built eastward from the seaward end of the breakwater, running parallel to the quay. This affords protection from turbulent seas during the SW monsoons.
The harbour has been constructed on the leeward side of Mormugao Headland. The port is served by 2 major navigable rivers, the Zurai and the Mandovi, which are also interconnected by the Cumbarjua Canal. The port has accommodation for both general and bulk cargoes.
Mormugao consists of 11 berths out of which 6 berths are leased and operated by other companies and the other 5 are operated by MPT.
Cargoes:
- Exports are iron ore, manganese ore, and alumina.
- Imports are petroleum products, liquid chemicals, coal/coke, fertilizers and ammonia.
Handling Equipment:
- MHCs
- MPP Cranes
- Reach Stackers
- Ship Unloader
Increased exports of iron ore are being contemplated from this port due to heavy demand and congestion.
Traffic figures: Approx. 800 vessels, 41,681,500t of cargo, of which 33,809,000t iron ore constitutes approx. 81% of the total quantity, 4,300TEU and 11,000 passengers handled annually.
Load line zone:
Arabian Sea Seasonal Tropical Area
Tropical Sep 1 to May 31
Summer Jun 1 to Aug 31.
There are 3 mooring dolphins for vessels loading from barges, these operations can be carried out during monsoons.
Max size: Berth No 9: During the fair season Oct-May, loading ore vessels of LOA 335m, beam 50m, draught 14.0m in conjunction with tide.
Ore vessels up to 275,000DWT have been loaded, such larger size vessels are partially loaded at Berth No 9 and topped off to their full capacity by transfer vessels in mid-stream where there is no restriction of draught.