The Union Shipping ministry, under its ambitious 100 days plan, has been working out proposals to develop six port projects worth Rs 3,319 crore in the country on a public private partnership (PPP) mode, the contracts for which will be soon allotted by the ministry. It will soon approach the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) to get the necessary approval for setting up an iron ore unit at New Mangalore Port (NMPT) in Karnataka.

Union Shipping Minister, GK Vasan said: "The six projects are expected to add capacity of 31.23 million tonnes and 1.97 million TEUs (twenty foot equivalent units)." A deep draught iron ore berth worth Rs 591.35 crore and a coal berth worth Rs 479.01 crore, having a capacity of 10 million tonnes each, will be developed under the project at Paradip port.

Mr. Vasan said that the government is waiting for suitable economic environment for disinvesting some part of Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) to improve the financial health of the public sector firm. He added: "The ministry is examining the economic climate and we will take a view on this."

The government is also looking at the possibility of the restructuring of Hindustan Shipyards. Also, the ministry has decided to establish more campuses of Indian Maritime University in Chennai.

The government may also award a status of major ports to Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Island, under its 100 days program.