The development of the upcoming Vadhvan Port in Maharashtra’s Palghar district has achieved a major milestone, with Afcons Infrastructure securing a Rs 5,301-crore contract to construct a 10.14-kilometre-long breakwater for the ambitious greenfield port project.
Once completed, the structure is expected to become the world’s second-longest breakwater and will play a critical role in protecting the future deep-draft port from rough sea conditions. The breakwater is designed to create safer operating conditions for vessels while supporting uninterrupted port activities throughout the year.
The contract has been awarded by Vadhvan Port Project Ltd (VPPL), the special purpose vehicle responsible for developing the mega port. The project is considered a key component of India’s broader efforts to strengthen maritime infrastructure and expand its presence in global shipping and logistics networks.
Vadhvan Port has been planned as one of the largest container-handling facilities in the world, with an estimated capacity of 23.2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). The port is expected to significantly enhance India’s cargo-handling capabilities, improve connectivity with major international trade routes and support growing export-import volumes.
Commenting on the development, Afcons Infrastructure Executive Chairman Krishnamurthy Subramanian said the project would serve as a crucial step towards India’s goal of becoming a leading global maritime hub. He noted that the contract reflects the company’s experience in delivering large-scale and technically complex marine infrastructure projects.
Afcons Managing Director S. Paramasivan described the assignment as one of the most significant marine infrastructure projects globally and said its execution would demonstrate India’s increasing expertise in delivering world-class engineering solutions.
A flagship engineering and construction company of the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, Afcons has previously executed marine infrastructure projects across India and overseas, including developments in Oman, Gabon and Kuwait.
According to Engineering News-Record (ENR), USA, Afcons is currently ranked as the world’s eighth-largest marine and port facilities contractor. The company also maintains a significant international presence, with operations spanning 31 countries across South Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the CIS region.
Source: The Times of India
