Mumbai Port Authority has declared Jawahar Dweep Marine Oil Terminal a plastic-free facility, making it the first oil terminal in India to eliminate single-use plastics from its operations.
The announcement was made on October 2 during the Swachhata Abhiyan 2026 cleanliness programme organised to mark Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary. The initiative marks a significant step in the port’s efforts to reduce plastic pollution and strengthen environmental practices across its maritime facilities.
Jawahar Dweep, also known as Butcher Island, is an offshore petroleum-handling facility located around four kilometres from Mumbai’s coastline. The terminal has five berths that handle crude oil and petroleum products and plays an important role in the city’s petroleum supply chain.
The facility caters to major energy companies, including Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL), Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC). Petroleum-related cargo accounts for nearly three-fifths of the overall traffic handled by Mumbai Port.
During the event, the Mumbai Port Authority also dedicated new Oil Spill Response facilities to the nation. The infrastructure is intended to strengthen preparedness and response capabilities in the event of petroleum-related spills within the port’s operational waters.
The port authority had introduced a ban on single-use plastics across its premises in September 2021, following the national campaign to tackle plastic pollution. The latest declaration at Jawahar Dweep extends that commitment to one of Mumbai’s key offshore petroleum terminals.
According to the authority, efforts to replicate the plastic-free approach will continue across other parts of the port. The initiative is expected to cover docks, residential colonies and coastal areas during the remainder of 2026.
The move places greater emphasis on reducing plastic waste at facilities handling petroleum cargo and operating in Mumbai’s coastal environment. By extending the initiative beyond the terminal itself, the Mumbai Port Authority plans to establish broader waste-reduction practices across its wider operational and residential areas.
The declaration of Jawahar Dweep as a plastic-free oil terminal comes as Indian ports increasingly focus on cleaner operations, environmental management and sustainable maritime infrastructure. The initiative also adds an environmental dimension to the ongoing modernisation and operational activities at Mumbai Port.
