The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has invited expressions of interest (EOI) from interested parties for the construction of a Rs 41,000 crore international transhipment port project at Great Nicobar Island in the Bay of Bengal. As per reports, the Center stated that around USD 5 billion port project will be completed with an investment from the Government as well as PPP concessionaire. After the completion of the first phase the port will handle 4 million containers per year. The estimated cost of the first phase of the port is Rs 18,000 crore, involving global-level infrastructure such as breakwaters, dredging, reclamation, berths, storage areas, building and utilities, procurement and installation of equipment and development of port colony. Post the complete construction, the port will be able to handle 16 million containers per year. It is also considered to be of strategic importance due to its close proximity with countries like Singapore, Klang and Colombo. It is located along the international trade route in the Indian Ocean Region. The location also has geographical plus points such as 20m and proximity to Indian ports.