The Tuna-Tekra mega-container terminal project was the main focus of the talks on Thursday between the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) and a delegation from Dubai-based logistics major DP World.
The April 23 meeting zoomed in on key infrastructure and logistics initiatives at the Kandla-based port, and its impact on development in the region.
The DP World delegation was led by Rizwan Soomar, CEO and Managing Director for the SCO region covering Central Asia, the Levant and Egypt.
Shri Sushil Kumar Singh, IRSME, Chairman DPA, held a productive meeting with the DP World delegation led by Mr. Rizwan Soomar, CEO & MD, SCO – Central Asia, Levant & Egypt, at the GH2 Conference Hall, Gandhidham.
— Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla (@Deendayal_Port) April 23, 2026
The discussions focused on the upcoming Container Terminal at… pic.twitter.com/oV0fExDspD
The Rs 4,243.64 crore Tuna-Tekra project is expected to significantly boost cargo handling at the Deendayal Port, which already registered the highest cargo throughput in the country for FY 2025-26.
It became the first in the country to handle 160.11 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo, dethroning the Paradip Port after two years. The latter had logged in 156.45 MMT over the same period.
How the Tuna-Tekra project will impact the port
At the outset, the Tuna-Tekra mega-container terminal project is capable of handling upto 2.19 million TEUs of cargo—a major boost for one of India's westernmost ports.
In a January 2023 concession aggreement signed between DP World and the Deendayal Port, Hindustan Infralog Private Limited—a joint venture between DP World and the state-owned National Investment and Infrastructure Fund—was given the green light to build the terminal under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis for a period of 30 years, with an option to extend it by 20 years.
Operated via a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model and expected to be completed in February 2027, the Rs 4243.64 crore terminal will have state of the art equipment and an annual capacity of 2.19 million TEUs.
Another key highlight of the project is a 1,100-metre berth capable of handling next-generation vessels with a capacity of more than 18,000 TEUs. There is also an option to further extend the berth to 1,375m.
The project is a key part of the National Infrastructure Pipeline, in line with India's goals under the PM Gati Shakti Master Plan and the National Logistics Policy.
On the MagRail Booster project
The Thursday talks also saw discussions on the MagRail Booster project at the Kandla-based port, which is aimed at boosting the movement of bulk cargo and containers at the port.
As per an MoU signed at the #IndiaMaritimeWeek2025, DP World will leverage Polish firm Nevomo's MagRail Booster for bulk cargo movement at the #deendayalport. #maritime #maritimenewshttps://t.co/v3iq1OOiYT
— THE WEEK (@TheWeekLive) October 30, 2025
This comes after DP World signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the DPA and Poland-based deep-tech company Nevomo at the India Maritime Week back in October 2025.
According to the agreement, DP World will use Nevomo's MagRail Booster, which uses a first-of-its-kind electromagnetic propulsion, for cargo movement in a live Indian port environment.
Touted as the "world's first retrofit solution for existing rail infrastructure", Nevomo claims that the MagRail Booster—part of the Polish company's MagRail portfolio—was developed to improve existing rail operations.
