Mumbai & New Mangalore ports await 3 patrol boats months after contract deadline | India News
NEW DELHI: Mumbai Port Authority (MPA) and New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) are still waiting for the delivery of three patrol boats, more than eight months beyond the maximum deadline under their contract. In case of two other major ports – Paradip and Vio Chidambaran, two such boats arrived late.Four major port authorities awarded the contracts to Mumbai-based Knowledge Marine and Engineering Works Ltd. Patrol boats for ports are specialized, fast and agile vessels designed for security, surveillance and law enforcement in ports and coastal areas.Four major port authorities awarded these works to Mumbai-based Knowledge Marine and Engineering Works LtdThe MPA awarded a tender to the firm in September 2024 to hire two fully operational patrol boats to be deployed for seven years. The boats were supposed to be delivered by March 23, 2025, but the company failed to meet the deadline.Last month, the port authority issued a termination notice to the company citing failure to provide alternative patrol boats with similar technical specifications during unavailability or delays. The letter dated January 8, 2026 also stated that the delay has caused a loss of Rs 35 lakh to the port authority. The company was asked to confirm compliance by January 20, failing which the contract could be cancelled.MPA did not respond to repeated questions about the status of the contract.Similarly, NMPA awarded a contract to the same firm in August 2024 to charter a patrol boat, with delivery scheduled for May 2025. The company was allowed delayed delivery till July 2025 subject to maximum applicable liquid losses. But the boat has not yet been delivered.A senior NMPA official said the contract price of the patrol boat was Rs 9.7 crore, and it is yet to be delivered. Despite the delay, the port authority did not cancel the contract.Sources in the Ministry of Ports and Shipping said that since the port authority has the power to decide on contracts and activities, it is their responsibility to take appropriate action.
