Gujarat Pipavav port clarifies ₹17,000-crore MoU with GMB is non-binding

By Admin

27 Nov, 2025

Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd (GPPL) has clarified that the recently announced ₹17,000-crore Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) is not a binding agreement. The company emphasized that the investment outlined in the MoU will only be undertaken after the port receives an extension of its existing operating concession.

According to Managing Director Girish Aggarwal, “The MoU with GMB is not a binding contract… This expenditure will happen post the concession extension.” The MoU, signed with the Gujarat government in October 2025, aligns with GPPL’s long-term development blueprint. Currently, the port’s 30-year concession agreement is scheduled to expire on September 29, 2028.

Long-Term Investment Plan Linked to Concession Extension

GPPL highlighted that the proposed ₹17,000-crore investment pipeline is designed to unfold over the next 30 years, driven by a master plan to expand capacity across diverse cargo categories. The investments include a wide range of marine and landside infrastructure enhancements such as new liquid jetties, liquid bulk handling facilities, RoRo operations, container capacity additions, and extensive landside development.

Aggarwal noted that the plan is still evolving, saying, “It is a little premature to talk about details… as we would decide how we expand as we move forward.” The company underlined that specifics of the expansion will be finalized only after the concession extension is confirmed.

Concession Extension Talks Moving Smoothly

On the concession renewal, GPPL stated that discussions with GMB and the Gujarat government are progressing positively. Aggarwal assured investors that there are no red flags at this stage and that the company remains optimistic. “Of course, the final decision will come from GMB and the Government of Gujarat,” he added.

Ongoing Liquid Jetty Expansion on Track

Separately, GPPL reaffirmed strong progress on its ₹700-crore liquid jetty expansion, which is on schedule for commissioning in November–December 2026. The company expects a major portion of this capex to be deployed between January and June 2026, marking a significant milestone in strengthening its liquid cargo handling capabilities.