Context:

The Union Cabinet has approved setting up a Major Port at Vadhavan near Dahanu in Maharashtra.

More on the news

• The Project will be constructed by, a special purpose vehicle, Vadhavan Port Project Limited (VPPL). 
• VVPL was formed by Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) with a shareholding of 74% and 26%, respectively.
• This Port will be developed as an all-weather Greenfield deep draft major port.
  Greenfield Port is constructed on unused land where there is no need to remodel or demolish an existing structure

The cabinet also approved the establishment of

• The road connectivity between the Port and National Highways by Ministry of Road Transport & Highways 
• Rail linkage to the existing rail network 
• Dedicated Rail Freight Corridor by Ministry of Railways.
• The Project will create a cumulative capacity of 298 million metric tons (MMT) per annum, including around 23.2 million TEUs (Twenty-foot equivalents) of container handling capacity.

• The Port will comprise nine container terminals, each 1000 meters long, four multipurpose berths, including the coastal berth, four liquid cargo berths, a Ro-Ro berth, and a Coast Guard berth. 
• This Project is aligned with the objectives of the PM Gati Shakti program.

Significance of the Vadhavan Port

• It has the potential of 10 lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities.
• It will also aid EXIM trade flow through IMEEC (India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor) and INSTC (International North South Transportation Corridor).
• It will be one of the top 10 ports in the world.