Mumbai and New Mangalore ports await 3 patrol boats months after contract deadline | India News

NEW DELHI: The Mumbai Port Authority (MPA) and New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) are still awaiting delivery of three patrol boats, more than eight months beyond the maximum deadline stipulated in the contract. As for the other two major ports – Paradip and VO Chidambarnar, the delivery of two such ships has been delayed.The four major port authorities awarded the contracts to Mumbai-based Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works Ltd. Port patrol boats are specialized, fast and agile vessels designed for security, surveillance and law enforcement in ports and coastal areas.The four major port authorities awarded the projects to Mumbai-based Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works LtdMPA issued a tender to the company in September 2024 to lease two fully operational patrol boats, to be deployed over seven years. The ships were originally scheduled 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, saying it failed to provide replacement patrol boats with similar technical specifications during periods of unavailability or delays. The letter, dated January 8, 2026, also stated that the delay caused a loss of Rs 35 lakh to the port authority. The company was given until January 20 to confirm compliance or the contract could be terminated.The MPA did not respond to multiple inquiries about the status of the contract.Likewise, the National Medical Products Administration awarded the company a contract to lease a patrol boat in August 2024, with delivery scheduled for May 2025. The company was allowed to delay deliveries until July 2025, subject to maximum applicable liquidated damages. However, the ship has still not been delivered.A senior NMPA official said the patrol boat was contracted at a cost of Rs 97 crore but has yet to be delivered. Despite the delays, the Port Authority did not terminate the contract.Sources in the Ministry of Ports and Shipping said since port authorities have the power to take decisions regarding contracts and operations, it is their responsibility to take appropriate action.