India's Largest Port Builder to Secure ₹30,000 Crore for Vadhvan Project

Mumbai, India – June 20, 2025 – The company responsible for developing the ambitious Vadhvan Port Project, which is set to become India’s largest port, plans to raise up to ₹30,000 crore (approximately $3.5 billion) in debt. This significant funding initiative offers lenders an opportunity to invest in a vital infrastructure project for the country.

The Vadhvan Port Project Ltd., located a few hours north of Mumbai, is pursuing debt financing with repayment periods ranging from 15 to 20 years, exploring both domestic and international funding avenues.

Project Ownership and Funding Strategy

“We have started the process of raising debt, which will happen in two phases,” stated Unmesh Sharad Wagh, Chairman of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and Managing Director of Vadhvan Port Project Ltd. The JNPA holds a 74% stake in the project, with the remaining 26% owned by the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB).

The total cost of the Vadhvan port is estimated at ₹75,000 crore (approximately $9 billion). JNPA and MMB will contribute ₹13,000 crore as equity towards the project. For the initial phase of debt funding, targeting at least ₹22,000 crore, IDBI Capital has been appointed as an advisor. A request for proposals from lenders is expected to be floated between October and December this year, with funds to be disbursed over the next five years. The project team is also in discussions with multilateral agencies.

Vadhvan Port: A Global Maritime Hub

The foundation stone for the Vadhvan Port was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year. The port is projected to be operational by the end of the decade and is designed to handle 23 million container units annually, positioning it among the world’s top 10 largest ports.

A key feature of Vadhvan Port is its natural draft of 20 meters, which will enable it to accommodate the world’s largest container ships – a current limitation for many of India’s existing ports. The project also aligns with India’s broader focus on strengthening its maritime infrastructure. It is expected to play a pivotal role in the proposed India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC), a strategic economic initiative aimed at creating new trade links between these regions.

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