JSW Infrastructure has emerged as the successful bidder for the development of a cutting-edge commercial port in Keni, Karnataka, on a public-private partnership basis, as announced by the Karnataka Maritime Board. Envisioned as an all-weather, greenfield, multi-cargo port with an initial capacity of 30 MTPA, the project is strategically positioned between operational major ports, Mormugao Port in the north and New Mangalore Port in the south.
Designed to serve industries in the north Karnataka region, including Ballary, Hosapete, Hubballi, Kalaburagi, and south Maharashtra, the Keni port will handle diverse cargoes and is poised to become a vital hub for coal, coke, steel, cement, power plants, iron ore, limestone, dolomite, and the export of finished steel products.
With an initial capacity of 30 MTPA, the port has the potential for substantial expansion in the long run, in line with the Karnataka Maritime Perspective Plan, which anticipates an increase in cargo potential from 44 MTPA to 117 MTPA by 2035. The Keni port, addressing the future cargo handling gap, aligns with the concept of an alternate port for NMPA (New Mangalore Port Authority), further reinforcing JSW Infrastructure’s commitment to fostering robust maritime infrastructure in the region.