Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK) has awarded a 30-year land and waterfront license for a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal at Haldia Dock Complex to a consortium of Invenire Petrodyne Limited and Excelerate Global Operations LLC. An agreement is likely to be signed in the coming days.

Project Specifications and Land Allocation

About 10 acres of land and 15 acres of water area will be allotted for a floating storage regasification unit (FSRU) or floating storage unit, along with a land-based regasification facility of 1.5 million metric tonne per annum (MMTPA). The project has the provision to expand up to 3 MMTPA in line with market demand.

Financial Terms and Competitive Bidding

The consortium won the license through competitive bidding with an upfront rent commitment of INR 24.4 crore plus royalty on land, according to SMP officials. This represents the financial commitment secured through the competitive selection process for the terminal development rights.

Historic Significance for Indian Ports

This will be the first FSRU project among India's 12 major ports, an SMP official said. The development marks a significant milestone in India's LNG infrastructure expansion within the major port system.

Timeline and Infrastructure Integration

The first phase is targeted for commissioning in the second half of 2027. GAIL's gas pipeline to Haldia is expected to be commissioned by March 2026 and may be used to carry the regasified natural gas across India. This timeline coordination suggests the terminal will integrate with existing pipeline infrastructure for distribution.

Regional Energy Demand and Market Purpose

The proposed facility is expected to play a key role in meeting the rising demand for natural gas in eastern India, particularly from industries, power plants, and city gas distributors seeking cleaner energy solutions. The terminal is strategically positioned to serve multiple sectors that require a natural gas supply in the eastern region of the country. The Haldia Dock Complex location provides strategic access for the floating terminal operations, with the combination of land-based and floating infrastructure designed to handle significant LNG volumes.

The expandable capacity from 1.5 MMTPA to 3 MMTPA allows the facility to scale operations based on market demand growth. The 30-year license term provides long-term operational security for the consortium's investment in the floating LNG terminal infrastructure. The waterfront allocation of 15 acres accommodates the floating storage and regasification units, while the 10-acre land portion supports the onshore regasification facility operations.

The bidding process that led to the consortium's selection demonstrates the structured approach taken by SMPK for awarding this significant infrastructure development contract. The upfront rent commitment of INR 24.4 crore plus ongoing royalty payments establishes the revenue framework for the port authority. The integration with GAIL's pipeline infrastructure, scheduled for completion by March 2026, positions the terminal to begin operations with established distribution channels already in place.

This coordination between the terminal commissioning in the second half of 2027 and the earlier pipeline completion creates operational readiness for immediate gas distribution upon terminal startup. The facility's role in serving industries, power plants, and city gas distributors reflects the diverse market segments that will utilize the regasified natural gas. The focus on cleaner energy solutions aligns with the terminal's purpose in supporting the energy transition requirements of eastern India.

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