In a significant development for India’s maritime and energy infrastructure, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) revealed that India’s initial fully loaded Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) docked at Mundra Port. The vessel, named Mt New Renown, boasts a cargo capacity of 3.3 lakh m3, marking a historic moment for Mundra as the first Indian port to handle a Fully Laden VLCC at Berth. Despite challenging conditions like strong currents and winds, the successful handling of Mt New Renown showcased the expertise and operational excellence of the APSEZ marine team.
Mundra’s VLCC jetty is linked to the HPCL Rajasthan Refinery in Barmer through a 489 km crude oil pipeline, a move that significantly bolsters India’s energy security and enhances the efficiency of large-scale crude imports. This direct connectivity not only improves supply chain resilience but also fosters regional economic growth in Gujarat and Rajasthan. The port’s advanced facility allows the berthing of fully laden VLCCs at maximum displacement, revolutionizing India’s crude oil logistics by enabling safer, faster, and more cost-effective crude handling through direct jetty operations.
The achievement of direct jetty berthing for fully laden VLCCs at Mundra Port places it among the elite global crude handling hubs, consolidating India’s standing in the global maritime and energy landscape. This milestone eliminates the need for offshore Single Point Moorings (SPMs) or lightering operations traditionally used for such large vessels, underscoring Mundra’s status as a pioneering port with a dedicated jetty capable of directly accommodating fully laden VLCCs.
Mundra Port, equipped with 27 operational berths and two Single Point Moorings (SPMs), has the versatility to handle various types of cargo, including dry bulk, break-bulk, project cargo, liquids, containers, automobiles, and crude oil. The port’s capabilities extend to accommodating Cape size vessels, VLCCs, Ultra Large Crude Carriers (ULCCs), and ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs). Notably, Mundra made history by becoming the first Indian port to handle over 200 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo in a single year during 2024-25, reaffirming its operational prowess and unmatched scale.
