Dabhol LNG terminal now works all year

Mumbai

GAIL India’s Dabhol LNG terminal in Maharashtra received its first cargo during the monsoon on June 2, marking the start of its full-year operations. Earlier, the terminal would shut down for four months every year due to rough seas during the rainy season.

The change was made possible after GAIL commissioned a breakwater structure last month. Breakwaters protect ports from high tides and strong waves, allowing ships to dock safely. With this upgrade, the Dabhol terminal can now function as an “all-weather port.”

The company stated this improvement will boost ship access and help use the terminal’s full capacity more efficiently.

GAIL now plans to expand the terminal’s capacity from 5 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) to 6.3 MMTPA over the next three years. Once expanded, the terminal will be able to manage up to 100 LNG cargoes each year.

This is a major step in strengthening India’s energy infrastructure. It ensures a steady supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) throughout the year, helping meet the country’s growing energy needs, even during difficult weather.

GAIL’s shares saw a slight rise of 0.3% on Friday after the announcement.

The Dabhol terminal’s transformation into an all-season port not only supports India’s energy goals but also improves reliability for gas supply during the monsoon. This is especially important as the country continues to increase its use of cleaner fuels like natural gas in its move toward a greener economy.