Mundra Port becomes India’s first to berth fully laden VLCC

By Admin

09 Jan, 2026

India’s maritime and energy logistics landscape marked a historic milestone as Mundra Port became the first port in the country to berth a fully laden Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC). Operated by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, the achievement reinforces Mundra’s position as a global-standard port capable of handling the largest crude oil vessels.

A landmark vessel at Mundra
The vessel involved in this milestone is the VLCC MT New Renown, which arrived carrying a massive cargo capacity of 3.3 lakh cubic metres of crude oil. According to the company, Mundra Port is engineered to handle vessels with a displacement of up to 3.6 lakh metric tonnes, placing it among a select group of ports worldwide with such advanced capabilities.

This development allows India to directly receive large crude tankers at berth, eliminating the need for partial offloading at offshore locations. Such direct berthing significantly improves operational efficiency and safety while reducing turnaround time.

Infrastructure and connectivity strength
One of the key factors enabling this achievement is Mundra’s dedicated VLCC jetty and robust pipeline infrastructure. The terminal is directly connected through pipelines to the HPCL Rajasthan Refinery at Barmer, enabling seamless and efficient transfer of crude oil from ship to refinery.

The company highlighted that only a limited number of ports globally have a similar configuration that combines deep draft berthing with direct refinery connectivity, underscoring the strategic importance of Mundra Port.

Leadership perspective
Commenting on the milestone, Karan Adani shared on X that Mundra has once again demonstrated how milestones and the port go hand in hand, calling the successful berthing of MT New Renown a proud moment for Indian maritime infrastructure.

Boost to India’s energy logistics
India currently meets over 85 per cent of its crude oil requirement through imports. Ports capable of handling fully laden VLCCs play a crucial role in reducing logistics costs by enabling direct discharge, minimizing dependence on offshore lightering operations, and improving supply chain reliability.

Mundra Port’s broader capabilities
Beyond crude oil handling, Mundra Port features 27 operational berths and two Single Point Moorings (SPMs). The port is equipped to handle dry bulk, break-bulk, project cargo, liquids, containers, automobiles, and crude oil. It can accommodate Cape-size vessels, VLCCs, Ultra Large Crude Carriers (ULCCs), and ultra large container vessels (ULCVs), making it one of the most versatile ports in the region.

With this latest achievement, Mundra Port not only sets a national benchmark but also strengthens India’s position in global energy trade and maritime logistics.